### Trump Campaign in Aurora Sparks Debate Over City's Safety

AURORA, Colo. - Aurora was the stage for a heated political rally as former President Donald Trump made a campaign stop on Friday. Hosting the event at the Gaylord Rockies resort, Trump followed through on his earlier promise to visit Aurora, a place he controversially dubbed as being overrun by a Venezuelan gang.

The rally commenced around 11:15 a.m. with an opening by Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams, followed by a series of speeches from local GOP leaders. Trump himself appeared on stage shortly after 1:40 p.m.

Outside the event, Aurora local Ron Newman voiced his mixed support for Trump. While Newman backs the former president, he dismissed Trump's claims about the city being taken over by a Venezuelan gang as "bull----." Newman emphasized that Aurora is not a war zone and that these assertions are entirely baseless. "Come to Aurora. That's what I would tell him," Newman said, conveying his view that Trump would find it a safe place to live.

To accommodate the event, the Aurora Police Department issued a warning for potential traffic delays in the vicinity of the Gaylord Rockies resort, located near Denver International Airport. Police officers were positioned along East 64th Avenue to manage the traffic situation.

Trump’s campaign issued a news release labeling Aurora as a "war zone," perpetuating the unverified claim. Earlier this month, Trump had promised to visit Aurora within two weeks, a vow he fulfilled. He also mentioned a future stop in Springfield, Ohio, although no date has been set, where his campaign has spread another contentious claim regarding Haitian migrants consuming cats and dogs.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, opted not to attend Trump's rally. "Former President Trump's visit to Aurora is an opportunity to show him and the nation that Aurora is a considerably safe city - not a city overrun by Venezuelan gangs," Coffman stated earlier in the week. He extended an open invitation for Trump to tour the community and meet with the local police chief for a briefing, a proposal that stands to offer a clearer picture than the one presented by Trump’s campaign.

The rally was a follow-up to Trump's comments made during the September 9 presidential debate when he reiterated his misleading claims about the city. In response, Aurora city officials and police jointly stated the gang's impact is limited to just a few properties, countering the exaggerated narrative.