Residents of Aurora apartment complex say poor conditions are the problem, not gang activity

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Residents of The Edge at Lowry Apartments say the story that gangs have taken over is simply not true and blame the property management for the conditions.

It was last Tuesday that FOX31 brought you a now-viral video of a group of men carrying guns at The Edge at Lowry Apartments, a known trouble spot. That video was linked by authorities to Venezuelan gang activity, but residents said Tuesday that the video was taken completely out of context.

A resident said this during a press conference in the complex.

“They’re trying to put us all in one group, all in one pocket. They’re trying to say there are delinquents here, there are criminals here, there are mothers here, there are families here,” the resident said.

They tell us that the real crime being committed is the appalling conditions they are forced to live in. We first reported these conditions two weeks ago when piles of garbage were found outside. Residents said the pile was because the property management had not collected the garbage for over two weeks.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Residents of the complex showed us bed bugs and mice in glue traps that residents said went untreated even after they reported them. These deplorable conditions are something Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman is fully aware of.

Residents held up mousetraps as they spoke to the media on Tuesday.

The management company CBZ Management also oversaw the Nome Street complex that closed last month, a location that had alleged gang activity and is a potential crutch the mayor says the company is using.

“I believe there is some truth to all of this, but it is interesting that when we have problems with allegations of criminal activity and gang activity, the pattern is with one owner and, quite frankly, the pattern is that it is out-of-state slum landlords,” Coffman said.

Residents also said they feel racism has played a role. One resident said he has tried to find another place to live but has been turned away multiple times. Other residents have received threatening racist messages calling them “animals,” violent threats and even people showing up at their buildings with signs saying, “We’re going to take Aurora back.”

“All we’re asking for is a place to live, a place for our children to live. We need your help and look at us and see us. We just want a chance to improve our image, we want to show the mayor and talk to him and let him know that we’re not the ones causing problems,” said one resident.

Residents said they want their story to change and a chance to meet with the city, a meeting the mayor is open to. The mayor mentioned in a social media post the possibility of an emergency order on the complex that would label it a criminal nuisance, but the mayor said that is a last resort if they can’t come to a resolution with the management company and residents.

“Of course it is better to find a solution that does not involve closing the buildings. I want to better understand their challenges, but we also need their cooperation.”