Aurora Orders Closure of Apartment Tied to Violent Gang Activity

Aurora, Colorado, is taking decisive action against an apartment complex that has become notorious for criminal activity and alleged gang ties. Despite months of denial and downplaying by city officials, the Edge at Lowry apartment complex is now being shut down after a judge’s order last week. This dramatic development follows reports of violence and a controversial connection to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA).

The closure stems from a series of alarming incidents at the Edge at Lowry. City officials described the property as a hotspot for “unmitigated violent crimes and property crimes,” with over 60 reported incidents since September 2023. Among these were an armed home invasion involving stabbing and kidnapping.

The complex first entered the national spotlight in August when a former tenant shared disturbing surveillance footage. The videos showed armed men storming the property and one individual breaking a deadbolt lock to enter a unit. These scenes fueled residents’ claims that TDA had taken over the complex, yet city officials repeatedly denied any substantial gang presence.

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain initially stated that investigations had found no definitive gang ties, citing difficulties in confirming affiliations with individuals from countries like Venezuela, which lack cooperative databases with the U.S. However, one man captured in the footage later confessed to being a TDA member, forcing the narrative to shift.

During a press conference on Monday, officials outlined their plans to close the property, framing the move as necessary for public safety.

“This place is not going to get any better. This place is basically a cancer to the community,” Chamberlain said. “The problem is a mismanaged location that allowed this crime to flourish.”

City attorney Pete Schulte elaborated, pointing to the property owners, Five Dallas Partners and parent company CBZ Management, as contributors to the crisis. Schulte explained that the city filed an emergency petition in December after a kidnapping incident highlighted the escalating violence.

On January 10, a judge granted the city’s emergency closure order, effectively sealing the fate of the complex.

CBZ Management, the property’s owner, has pointed fingers at the government for allowing gang activity to proliferate. The company claims it had raised concerns about TDA’s presence but was ignored.

“We were the ‘Canary in the coal mine,’” CBZ Management wrote in a social media post. “The priority of government officials was to cover up this inconvenient story.”

In another statement, the company accused the media and political supporters of the Biden-Harris administration of denying the issue, saying, “Yes, gangs did take control of our apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, and the government did nothing. That is the real story.”

City officials, however, have been firm in their criticism of CBZ Management’s handling of the property. Schulte highlighted the company’s inadequate management, stating, “The police department felt like they really needed to get [the complex] under control because it is being completely unmanaged.”

This isn’t the first time Aurora has taken legal action against CBZ Management. The city previously shut down another property owned by the company and is reportedly targeting additional complexes linked to similar issues.

Despite the property owners’ efforts to deflect blame, residents and officials remain adamant that mismanagement contributed to the criminal activity at the Edge at Lowry. Aurora Police Chief Chamberlain emphasized that the closure is about restoring safety to the community, saying, “This complex is an incredibly problematic complex, and it’s not going to be tolerated.”

The Edge at Lowry’s closure is about more than just crime—it’s a flashpoint in broader debates about immigration, law enforcement, and government accountability. Critics of the Biden administration argue that lenient immigration policies allowed TDA members to establish a foothold in the U.S.

The issue has also highlighted divisions between local and federal officials. While Aurora officials initially denied gang activity, they have now been forced to address it head-on as public pressure mounts.

The Edge at Lowry’s closure marks a turning point in Aurora’s battle against organized crime, but it’s far from the end of the story. Residents are hopeful the city’s actions will bring peace and stability to the area, but questions remain about how the situation was allowed to escalate in the first place.

For now, Aurora’s decision to shut down this notorious apartment complex is being hailed as a necessary step to protect the community. As the legal battle with CBZ Management continues, one thing is clear: the city is determined to reclaim control and send a strong message that crime and mismanagement will not be tolerated.