A heated dispute between the Mayors of Denver and Aurora over migrant relocations has escalated, raising concerns about public safety and transparency in Colorado.
At a Glance
- Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman accuses Denver of secretly relocating migrants, including potential gang members, to Aurora
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston denies the allegations, stating the city has no authority over migrant placements
- The dispute highlights broader challenges in managing migrant populations and resources
- Concerns about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua’s presence in Aurora have fueled the controversy
- Both Mayors are calling for increased transparency and accountability in handling the migrant situation
Mayors Clash Over Migrant Placements
The political landscape in Colorado has become increasingly tense as Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, engage in a public dispute over the handling of migrant relocations. Coffman has accused Johnston of secretly transferring unauthorized migrants, potentially including members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, into Aurora without notifying local officials.
Coffman’s allegations stem from concerns about rising crime rates in Aurora, which he attributes to the influx of migrants. The Republican mayor claims that nonprofits, working in conjunction with Denver, have been placing migrants in Aurora without proper notification or consideration for public safety.
Aurora mayor accuses Denver of covert migrant relocation scheme causing gang surge: 'Tell the truth' https://t.co/9cc1M1ozyc pic.twitter.com/qeE5bjrNV5
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) January 8, 2025
Denver Mayor Denies Allegations
Mayor Johnston has vehemently denied these accusations, asserting that Denver has no authority over migrant assignments. In response to Coffman’s claims, Johnston stated, “The City of Denver never places anyone anywhere.” He further explained that nonprofits independently decide on migrant placements based on housing availability across various locations.
“We give them dollars and they decide on housing. Every day it’s looking for where that housing is and identifying what open unit it is. You might go to Thornton, you might go to Northglenn, you might go to Denver,” Johnston said.
Despite the Mayor’s explanations, Coffman remains unconvinced. The Aurora Mayor has filed an open records request to obtain details of the contracts between Denver and the nonprofits involved in migrant placements. Coffman’s office claims to have found language in these contracts allowing nonprofits to place migrants in Aurora without notifying local officials.
Public Safety Concerns
The heart of this political rift lies in public safety concerns, particularly regarding the alleged presence of the Tren de Aragua gang in Aurora. A viral video showing purported gang members in an Aurora apartment has brought national attention to the issue, prompting Coffman to question why Aurora faces gang problems while Denver, which has welcomed many migrants, does not.
“Aurora, Colorado, has been plagued with crime linked to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), and now the city’s Mayor is accusing his Denver counterpart of not being truthful about how the gang members and other migrants ended up in his city,” Coffman stated.
