Migrant gangs at Aurora properties: CBZ Management tells its side

The Edge at Lowry Apartments in Aurora are managed by CBZ Property Management.Photo byGoogle Street View

AURORA, Colo. -- Just like former President Donald Trump, CBZ Management took to X Friday to tell its side of the story regarding migrant gangs occupying apartments it operates in Aurora.

“Gangs have taken control of several of our properties in Aurora, Colo., the first post states. “In an attempt to discredit this fact for political purposes and avoid governmental accountability, some have spread false information about our situation. Let’s set the record straight.”

CBZ goes on to make seven additional posts. In them, CBZ describes how a group of men beat an apartment complex employee, took over vacant apartments and extorted residents out of rent money. “He had gone to inspect a recently vacated three-bedroom apartment (a rare occurrence for such a large unit) only to find a group of men already inside,” CBZ posted about their employee. “When he refused their $500 bribe to overlook the situation, they brutally attacked him.

“After the attack on our CBZ representative, he began getting threatening text messages,” the post continues, accompanied with screen grabs of antisemitic and homophobic texts. “We also frequently found people illegally occupying newly vacated apartments during scheduled tours. This was initially attributed to an influx of migrants exploiting squatter laws. We even received a call from a tenant returning from vacation, only to find strangers living in his apartment. This legitimate tenant was forced to find a new home after police couldn’t help him.”

CBZ: City not helpful

According to the posts, the City of Aurora was of no assistance to the property management group as they wrestled with these problems. “Finally, the (Aurora Police), FBI and Homeland Security informed us that those sending the messages and controlling our buildings were part of the notorious Tren De Aragua gang from Venezuela,” CBZ posted. “They also mentioned that our situation was just ‘a blip on the radar,’ as this gang is causing significant problems nationwide. Two days after our FBI meeting, the gang confronted our on-site manager, asserting control over all three properties. They offered an ultimatum: share rental income 50/50 or lose the buildings permanently. They also threatened to harm him and his family. For the safety of our management team and their families, we withdrew them from the properties and focused on seeking help from government agencies.”

Officials: Buildings poorly maintained

Aurora city officials, apart from council member Danielle Jurinsky, have insisted that CBZ does not properly maintain its properties and that is why they have problems. The city closed one of its apartment buildings on Nome Street, leaving residents in a lurch. The city has ordered the company to get staff back on site and to clean up and sell its properties.

In its posts, CBZ expressed frustration. The company claimed that had a resident not made a video available to the news media of young men breaking into an apartment with assault rifles, the story never would have received the attention it deserves.

City finally admits gang problem

In a statement two weeks ago, Jurinsky and Mayor Mike Coffman said, “For some time, well before concerns about (the Tren de Aragua gang) in Colorado generated national attention, APD had been arresting people for various criminal activities who had suspected, but not necessarily confirmed, (Tren de Aragua) connections. To date, APD has now linked 10 people to (Tren de Aragua) and has arrested eight of those people (Update: There have now been nine arrests). Two of the eight individuals who were taken into custody were involved in a July shooting at one of the specific properties in the city that have experienced issues with (Tren de Aragua) activity. In line with these arrests, we can also now confirm that criminal activity, including (Tren de Aragua) issues, had significantly affected those properties.”

'Using us as scapegoats'

In its final post about the alleged gang activity, CBZ stated, “Despite clear evidence, many still deny the reality of the situation, sometimes using us as scapegoats. That’s why we are no longer staying silent. We will continue to counter falsehoods with simple facts and evidence. Yes, gangs did take control of our apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, and the government did nothing. That is the real story. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”

Natalie Chuck of Denver 7 responded to the CBZ posts asking why they did not talk to the media sooner. She said her station tried several times to reach the company. “We're just a company trying to give value to our tenants and owners,” CBZ answered. “We're responding now out of frustration of media printing false information about us. Even many media outlets we did respond to, ignored our facts. We'll be posting more facts on X so the public can see for themselves.”