Tenants of Aurora apartments forced to vacate; city cites code violations

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Tenants of an Aurora apartment building have eight days to vacate their units.

It’s a heated issue. The apartment management at 1568 Nome St. claims it is happening because of Venezuelan gang crimes, while the city of Aurora says it’s because of longstanding unresolved code violations.

A spokesperson from the city said instead of addressing the documented code violations, property owner CBZ Management has hired a team of attorneys and a public relations firm to fight the city on its decision.

“First off, we have a signoff from the city, so therefore I don’t know what the city is talking about as it relates to violations because it’s been signed off,” an investor in the property said.

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A city spokesperson told FOX31 that the issues range from rodent infestations to a lack of heat and electricity, sewage backups, trash pileups and water leaks, among other things.

“Whatever the city has asked us to fix, we have fixed it and sign it off. Last year it was signed off,” the investor said.

He claims the reason the 99-unit building is being vacated is because the residents and building owners of the property have been left in a state of fear and chaos because of Venezuelan gang violence. It’s also the reason the property investor asked to remain anonymous.

“It’s inappropriate of the city to be blaming an issue that has to do with law enforcement and gangs and violent gangs taking over the building and trying to use it as a scapegoat, that it has to do with code violations and repairs that weren’t done in apartments,” he said. “It’s a nonsense argument.”

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Police say there has been a consistent increase in calls for service at the property over the last few years.

In 2022, officers investigated 41 crimes. That number doubled in 2023 to 84 crimes. In the first seven months of this year, there have been 66 crimes. They include things like motor vehicle crimes, robbery, drugs and aggravated assault.

Last year, police declared the building a criminal nuisance property, but the city said it’s not the reason for the closure.

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FOX31 asked the city of Aurora about concerns over alleged Venezuelan gang crime. In a statement, a spokesperson said they are “actively working with law enforcement agencies across the metro area to conclusively determine if there is a connection between metro criminal activity and a specific group or organization. In the meantime, any such specific activity is immaterial to and separate from the city’s code enforcement actions at the property and the building’s inhabitability.”

The city will start notifying tenants of the action on Wednesday. They will then have until 8 a.m. Aug. 13 to vacate, at which point the city will shut off the water, board up the building and fence off the entire property.

Meanwhile, the city and apartment management plan to go to court on the matter later this month.

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