Apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, have fallen under the control of Venezuelan gangs, according to a statement from CBZ Management, the company overseeing the properties. CBZ confirmed that gang members have taken over several of their buildings, with violence escalating and staff members being attacked.
CBZ revealed that they began managing the properties in 2019 with plans to renovate and improve conditions. However, when gangs moved in, crime skyrocketed, including an incident where a CBZ staffer was assaulted after refusing a bribe from gang members.
The situation worsened after the attack, with illegal occupants squatting in vacated apartments and threatening staff. CBZ contacted law enforcement and eventually confirmed with local and federal authorities that the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang was active on their properties.
Despite reaching out to city officials, CBZ claims they received little help. Instead, they faced accusations from some city leaders over alleged “code violations.” Meanwhile, legitimate tenants were forced to flee as the violence worsened.
One councilwoman, Dani Jurinsky, intervened after a tenant reached out for help, providing video evidence of the gang’s control. CBZ has since called out the media for downplaying the severity of the situation, stating that the gang takeover is being ignored by officials and the press.