'Venezuela ahead' billboard latest in political fight over alleged gang activity in Colorado

Anyone driving on Interstate 25 into Colorado from Wyoming will encounter a large billboard saying, "Venezuela ahead, BE PREPARED!"

Colorado nor Wyoming are anywhere near close to the South American country of Venezuela, but the billboard seemingly references rumors supported by former President Donald Trump. The 2024 Republican presidential nominee shared reports that a Venezuelan gang was "taking over" an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado.

"We have millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums," Trump said Sept. 10 during the ABC debate. "… You see what's happening with towns throughout the United States. You look at Springfield, Ohio. You look at Aurora in Colorado. They are taking over the towns. They're taking over buildings. They're going in violently. These are the people that (Vice President Kamala Harris) and (President Joe Biden) let into our country. And they're destroying our country. They're dangerous. They're at the highest level of criminality."

Following Trump's comments, Aurora police announced the arrest of 10 alleged members of the gang and booked them on various charges, including assault, shootings and a hit-and-run crash.

Before announcing the arrests, police denied rumors that the gang was taking over the apartment and making tenants pay them rent.

Here is what USA TODAY knows about the billboard, including who owns it and how long it will remain up.

Who bought the 'Venezuela ahead' billboard?

In addition to the "Venezuela ahead" message, the billboard reads, "Paid for by Clipper Properties LLC, Tim Mellon, Member."

Business records show that Clipper Properties LLC is a limited liability company organized by Kermit C. Brown, former Wyoming Speaker of the House. Brown, a partner for the law firm Brown & Hiser, created the company in June 2018, according to Wyoming Secretary of State records.

USA TODAY contacted Brown and his law firm on Monday but did not receive a response.

While Brown may be an unfamiliar name to many, Mellon likely is not: The American businessman is heir to the Mellon banking fortune, estimated to be worth $14.1 billion, Forbes reported, and he is among Trump's biggest backers, the New York Times and Forbes reported.

Who is Tim Mellon?

Mellon has given $227 million in contributions to federal candidates and political committees since 2020, nearly all to Republicans, according to the New York Times. In 2024, he contributed $75 million to Trump's campaign and $25 million to assist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential run, the outlet reported.

Mellon's political and social views have received criticism, particularly comments he made in his memoir " panam.captain ." In the book, the businessman said in the 1980s he began resenting "citizens dependent upon government largess,” who he called “slaves of a new Master, Uncle Sam.”

“Black people, in spite of heroic efforts by the ‘Establishment’ to right the wrongs of the past, became even more belligerent and unwilling to pitch in to improve their situations,” he wrote.

USA TODAY attempted to contact Mellon on Monday but did not receive a response.

How long will the billboard stay up?

Wyoming's Republican Secretary of State Chuck Gray told Denver TV station KUSA that the “Venezuela Ahead” billboard is one of one and is scheduled to remain up through the week of Election Day in November.

"It is disturbing, but not surprising, that leftwing media outlets are demanding that government action should be taken against Tim Mellon for taking a stand and bringing awareness to the devastating effects of illegal immigration," Gray told the Colorado-based TV station in a statement.

Is a Venezuelan gang taking over Aurora, CO?

Trump's comments during the debate prompted Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Council Member and Public Safety Chair Danielle Jurinsky to release a statement as a rebuttal.

"We would like to clear the record about the widely reported presence of Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Aurora and across the metro area," the statement reads. "... The city’s duty is to make sure it gathers and presents factual, accurate, and comprehensive information about any issue affecting the community. We reiterate that the safety, security, and well-being of community members and visitors is of paramount concern to us and the city."

Coffman's and Jurinsky's statement further explains how the issues in their city have been "experienced at a select few properties (and) do not apply to the city as a whole or large portions of it."

"TdA has not 'taken over' the city," the statement continued. "The overstated claims fueled by social media and through select news organizations are simply not true. Again, TdA’s presence in Aurora is limited to specific properties, all of which the city has been addressing in various ways for months."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Venezuela ahead' billboard latest in political fight over alleged gang activity in Colorado