A Colorado apartment complex will close months after it was scrutinized by President-elect Donald Trump and received national attention over claims of it being “taken over” by a Venezuelan gang, city officials announced.
The Edge at Lowry Apartments in Aurora, Colorado is anticipated to close sometime in mid to late February, Ryan S. Luby, a spokesperson for the city of Aurora, confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday in an email. City officials currently are working on a plan with Arapahoe County and community partners to help relocate the tenants living in the 60 affected apartment units, he added.
“The Edge of Lowry Apartments is an epicenter for unmitigated violent crimes and property crimes perpetuated by a criminal element that has exerted control and fear over others residing at this apartment complex,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said in an affidavit regarding the ongoing criminal activity at The Edge at Lowry Apartments.
In August, rumors began swirling of Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang members taking over the apartment complex and forcing tenants to pay them rent money. Aurora police later confirmed that the Venezuelan prison gang was indeed in Aurora and that they made several related arrests, including 10 alleged members in September.
Here is what to know about The Edge of Lowry Apartments’ looming closure, and the issues that have plagued the property and its tenants.
City officials filed a petition in Aurora Municipal Court on Jan 9. seeking an emergency closure order of the remaining buildings at The Edge at Lowry apartment complex near Dallas Street and East 12th Avenue, according to a petition of injunctive relief obtained by USA TODAY.