The city of Aurora, Colorado, has been plagued by crime linked to the violent Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua (TdA), and the city's mayor is now questioning how gangsters and other immigrants are They are accusing Denver's mayor of not telling the truth about who came to the city. first place.
In an op-ed in the Denver Gazette, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman accused Denver Mayor Mike Johnston of two nonprofit organizations that are sending and detaining immigrants to Aurora without notifying the local mayor or other local officials. He asked him to confess about his role in the alleged incident.
Coffman said the nonprofit's efforts have led to many Venezuelan immigrants, including criminals, ending up in Aurora.
A screenshot of a viral video from Aug. 18 that brought national attention to Aurora's TdA issue. (Edward Romero)
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Johnston's office told FOX News Digital that he denies directing nonprofits or agencies to admit immigrants to Aurora.
In August, a video of TdA gang members with guns bursting through the door of an Aurora apartment complex went viral, drawing national attention to the gang's stronghold in the city.
Mr. Coffman held a joint press conference with Mr. Johnston last year, saying they indicated they were aggressively pursuing TdA gang members in an effort to quell public hysteria over the issue after the video was released.
Coffman, a Republican, wrote just before reporters that he turned to Democrat Johnston, noting that Aurora is having all kinds of problems with Venezuelan gangs, even though Johnston has openly welcomed thousands of bus-moving migrants. The Texas native said it was strange that Denver didn't. Approximately 45,000 immigrants have arrived in the Denver metro area since December 2022, according to data from the Colorado Common Sense Institute, a nonpartisan research organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the U.S. economy.
“Mr. Johnston made constant political statements and never responded,” Coffman wrote.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston are embroiled in a spat over immigration. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post, Getty Images), left, Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post, right. )
Coffman said he then focused on a local news report in the City Journal that showed how Johnston transported immigrants from Denver to Aurora.
The nonprofit group worked with landlords to place immigrants in housing units and subsidize their rent, according to the article.
One of those organizations, Papagayo, is working with a landlord called CBZ Management to build three properties at the center of the viral video controversy, including the Edge of Raleigh Apartments, City Journal reports. The company is a real estate management company that operates apartment buildings.
After reading the article, Coffman said he confronted Johnston about whether it was true and how many immigrants had been sent to Aurora.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's office denies allegations that it helped send migrants to Aurora through two nonprofit organizations. (Hyun Chang/The Denver Post)
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“He asserted that Denver had a contract with a nonprofit organization that 'pumped' immigrants from Denver to Aurora, but declined to confirm the number of immigrants, where they lived, or the resources they were given. Information Defensively stated that it was not available,” Coffman wrote.
Nevertheless, Coffman said Aurora City Attorney Pete Schulte obtained a copy of the contract between Denver and the two nonprofits that would allow the nonprofits to house immigrants. It said the words “in Denver or surrounding areas” were inserted into those contracts. Aurora without notifying Aurora personnel.
“Allowing Johnston to say it wasn't his decision to put them in Aurora, but the nonprofit's decision, gives Johnston protection if that becomes public,” Coffman said. ” he wrote.
Coffman said Johnston's claim that the information was not available is due to compliance clauses in contracts obtained through Schulte that require nonprofits to provide information about the number of migrants sent to Aurora and where they are held. stated that it is contradictory.
Coffman also argued that the Denver City Attorney's Office cannot release the report, which includes the number of migrants sent to Aurora and where they were placed, because it includes personally identifying information such as the migrants' names. I wrote that there is.
If so, Coffman wrote, Denver should redact the name and send the information.
A spokesperson for Johnston's office told Fox News Digital that “Denver did not direct any nonprofits or agencies to place new employees in Aurora.”
“There is also no documentation or knowledge to suggest that any city funds were used to support the rental of CBZ properties. Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue.”
“Denver is proud to have assisted approximately 43,000 people from our southern border, many of whom arrived on buses chartered by the Texas Governor, even though they never intended to make Denver or Colorado their home. did.”
Coffman went on to write that Venezuela is a failed socialist dictatorship, with a collapsed economy and rampant crime.
Aurora, Colorado Mayor Mike Coffman wants answers from Denver Mayor Meek Johnston. (Larry French/Getty Images, SiriusXM)
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“Unfortunately, where there is a high concentration of Venezuelans, criminal elements sometimes pursue them and exploit them on their own,” Coffman wrote.
“I think that was the case with the CBZ properties, especially the Edge of Raleigh Apartments in Aurora.
“The City of Aurora has suffered a national disgrace that has tarnished the city's image in ways that could have lasting economic consequences. As Mayor of Aurora, I urge Mayor Mike Johnston to be transparent and I'm asking you to tell me the truth about what you did.” ”
