Neighbors say they are dealing with aftermath of Aurora complex shutdown

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — There is new fallout after the city of Aurora shut down the Fitzsimons apartments on Nome Street over dozens of code violations.

It’s been a little more than a week since hundreds of tenants were forced out of their units for health and safety reasons.

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For the last two years, Shannon Mack has called the Newark neighborhood in Aurora her home. She lives about 500 feet from the recently vacated apartment complex near Colfax Avenue and Nome Street.

“They (tenants) got the notice on Wednesday and were kicked out on Tuesday,” Mack said. “So when it was happening, people were just throwing their things out the window.”

The city of Aurora said it shut down the complex because living conditions are unfit for human habitation and code violations date back two years. The property’s management company, CBZ Management, claimed they could not do any maintenance or repairs because the complex was overrun by a Venezuelan gang.

“There’s just nowhere for them to go. So they park in front of the house and sleep when they can,” Mack said.

Mack said it causes her street to be lined up with cars, sometimes blocking her driveway. She captured a photo of a tent and people camped outside, near her street.

“They’ve taken tools and batteries,” Mack said with tears in her eyes. “The things that I lost, I’m not sure that they have monetary value. I lost my husband, and now I’m losing his things.”

‘Don’t be afraid to call, watch out for each other’

The Aurora Police Department told FOX31 that since the abatement, they have had two calls to the 1600 block of Nome Street, both labeled a suspicious occurrence with someone on a property and ringing a doorbell. Police say both have been cleared, but Mack still has fears.

“We’ve lost our security and freedom to live in our homes,” she said. “You’re afraid to leave because it’s not in the middle of the night, not in the middle of the day. It’s around the clock.”

She hopes the situation can be fixed, although she’s not sure of any resolutions.

“Get back to what’s normal, but hopefully it’s a way they can find other housing long-term,” Mack said. “I would like to wave a magic wand to fix it all. I’m just one person. I don’t know the answer. It’s easy to say these are the problems, but to not be able to come up with the answer is frustrating.”

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She said neighbors need to be on high alert and look out for one another.

“Don’t be afraid to call, watch out for each other,” Mack said. “If you’re seeing something, don’t be afraid to call. And if you need help, I want to help if I can help.”

FOX31 also reached out to the city of Aurora. A spokesperson said in a statement: “Yes, we have also become aware of some of the complaints. We would encourage anyone who is experiencing a crime to call police. Additionally, or perhaps separately depending on the circumstance, we would encourage folks to report concerns to the Access Aurora portal, which is one of the best ways for city staff to prioritize issues.”

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