Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, police say home invasion 'without question' Tren de Aragua gang activity
Aurora Police have confirmed that several members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were involved in an “incredibly violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured in an apartment complex this week.
“I will say without question, in my opinion, that this is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said. “It’s something that we are working very close with our partners in HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] and DHS [Homeland Security] to establish their relationship with gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have little way of confirming that a suspect is a member of TdA since gang members do not typically broadcast their affiliation.
“It is a real challenge to try to say, ‘Hey, 100%, you are a gang member,’” he said.
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Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Chamberlain said it was not a “big step” for him to identify them as members of the notorious Venezuelan gang.
“But when you look at the circumstances of this, when you look at the events of this, when you look at the individuals involved in this, when you look at the veracity and the violence involved in this, again, it is not a big step for me to say that they are TdA gang members,” he said.
The gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at the Edge at Lowry Apartments in the Denver suburbs and bound, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims, leaving them hospitalized. The perpetrators also allegedly stole jewelry from the victims.
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While the department cannot yet confirm whether all 19 of the suspects detained in the incident are TdA members, Chamberlain said he could categorically confirm that several are part of the gang that has been terrorizing Aurora residents in recent months.
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Chamberlain said one of the detained TdA members was also involved in the violent apartment takeover in Aurora earlier this year.
According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said the TdA members and their affiliates have regularly mistreated the couple and were extorting them for $500 every two weeks. He believes the couple were not the only victims being intimidated and extorted by the gang members.
Chamberlain also said Aurora Police are fully cooperating with ICE, DHS and Homeland Security Investigations to determine the identities and potential gang affiliation of those involved in the incident.
Aurora Police prepare to search in Aurora, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were detained for questioning, three of whom have since been released and eight of whom are now in ICE custody. He said eight are still under investigation.
“Those pending charges range from everything from second-degree kidnaping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and burglary,” he said.
Police have not released the names of the 16 arrested individuals.
Apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
The police chief reiterated that authorities did not conduct a “mass sweep” for the suspects, but instead went door to door to thoroughly investigate all parties involved.
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During a press conference, Chamberlain emphasized that Aurora Police would respond to calls and help any victim in trouble “regardless of immigration status.”
With the NFL Draft approaching, many players will hear their names called, and their lives will be changed forever. The Colorado Buffaloes have been fortunate to have 25 of their players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
So here is a list of all 25 Colorado players who have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Every Colorado First Round Draft Pick
- RB Byron “Whizzer” White (1938): No. 4 overall, Pittsburgh Pirates
- LB Jerry Hillebrand (1962): No. 13 overall, New York Giants
- RB Bobby Anderson (1970): No. 11 overall, Denver Broncos
- DT Herb Orvis (1972): No. 16 overall, Detroit Lions
- RB Bo Matthews (1974): No. 2 pick, San Diego Chargers
- TE J.V. Cain (1974): No. 7 overall, St. Louis Cardinals
- C Pete Brock (1976): No. 12 overall, New England Patriots
- DT Troy Archer (1976): No. 13 overall, New York Giants
- OT Max Koncar (1976): No. 23 overall, Green Bay Packers
- DB Mark Haynes (1980): No. 8 overall, New York Giants
- OT Stan Brock (1980): No. 12 overall, New Orleans Saints
- WR Mike Pritchard (1991): No. 13 overall, Atlanta Falcons
- DE Alfred Williams (1991): No. 18 overall, Cincinnati Bengals
- DB Deon Figures (1993): No. 23 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
- DT Leonard Renfro (1993): No. 24 overall, Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Charles Johnson (1994): No. 17 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Michael Westbrook (1995): No. 4 overall, Washington Redskins
- RB Rashaan Salaam (1995): No. 21 overall, Chicago Bears
- OG Chris Naeole (1997): No. 10 overall, New Orleans Saints
- WR Rae Carruth (1997): No. 27 overall, Carolina Panthers
- TE Daniel Graham (2002): No. 21 overall, New England Patriots
- DE Tyler Brayton (2003): No. 32 overall, Oakland Raiders
- OT Nate Solder (2011): No. 17 overall, New England Patriots
- DB Jimmy Smith (2011): No. 27 overall, Baltimore Ravens
- WR/CB Travis Hunter (2025): No. 2 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars
Key First Round Buffaloes
There have been several Colorado players who have made a significant impact in the NFL after being drafted in the first round.
The first player to note is running back Byron “Whizzer” White, who was the first-ever Buffaloes player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. White had a solid career in the NFL and definitely was worth the selection.
Colorado also had an interesting trend of multiple players being selected in the first round on eight separate occasions, which showed the Buffaloes ‘ ability to develop talent on a consistent basis.
One of the more successful Colorado players in the NFL was an offensive tackle, Nate Solder, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2011 and won two Super Bowls while blocking for Tom Brady. Solder provided consistent protection and was someone that the Patriots could rely on to do his job well.
Former Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith also had a successful career after being drafted in 2011 by the Baltimore Ravens. One of the highlights of Smith’s career was when he won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens and made crucial stops on the goal line to seal the game. Throughout his career, Smith was always solid in coverage and could make a play when he needed to.
Currently in the NFL is former Colorado Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2 overall in the 2025 draft. Hunter had a decent rookie season, but it was unfortunately ended early by injury.
Heading into a sophomore season, Hunter will be making a change to cornerback and looks to be a great contributor for the Jaguars on defense while adding some value as a situational receiver.
As indicated by the number of players drafted in the first round from Colorado, the Buffaloes definitely have a history of being able to develop great talent that can be successful in the NFL.
Unfortunately, there are no Buffaloes projected to be first-round picks this season, however next year could be the perfect opportunity with players like wide receiver Danny Scudero and defensive tackle Santana Hopper poised for big seasons.
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South Broadway’s newest bar in Denver is a “nostalgic-forward neighborhood cocktail bar” called the Good Luck Club. However, it’s been anything but lucky.
“It would have been really helpful to have a road map of here’s how you open up a bar,” said Ben Hamilton, Good Luck Club’s general manager. “Here are the steps you need to take.”
It’s finally open, six months behind target, thanks to a guessing game they didn’t know they were playing.
“I was like jumping over hurdles and navigating a maze to try to figure out and put all the pieces of the puzzle together,” Hamilton added. “There was a good list of complications that we ran into when we were filing for our liquor licenses, our zoning permits, our assembly permits.”
However, the city knows about the problems behind the permit process.
Tuesday marks exactly one year since Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed his first executive order overhauling the city’s permit process with a new office.
“It’s really hard for our customers to understand what is needed for every type of construction project that could be out there,” said Robert Peek, the director of development systems performance with the Denver Permitting Office.
Hamilton says that was exactly what he and his team faced: “It seemed like it was never the full answer.”
That’s why the Denver City Council approved a $4.6 million contract with ComplyAI for a tool that will help streamline and speed up the process.
“It’ll do an initial review of their applications and their plans and identify anything that I’m missing or anything that is approvable for the city,” Peek said.
The software could shave weeks off the process, and hopefully, in the future, businesses like the Good Luck Club can serve the community more quickly.
“We see this as part of our larger effort to really revitalize our local economy by getting these businesses and homeowners to move into their homes,” Peek said.
The permitting office is just beginning the implementation process to integrate the artificial intelligence tool into the system. They hope to launch it to the public by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Good Luck Club is having its grand opening on April 30.
The Colorado Avalanche’s head coach will not travel with the team this week due to injuries he sustained after being hit with a puck during a game over the weekend.
Jared Bednar will stay at home as the team travels for two of its last regular season games in Canada, according to a statement from the team. Bednar was diagnosed with facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery.
During Saturday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, a stray puck hit by the Knights’ Keegan Kolesar went over the boards and into the Avalanche’s bench. Bednar was struck on the right side of his face and taken to the hospital to be evaluated.
The assistant coaching staff, which includes Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt, took over after Bednar left the game. Pratt told reporters in the postgame press conference that the hit was “unnerving.”
“It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there, it happens all the time,” Pratt said, adding that it was “unfortunate tonight.”
But the team recalibrated and returned to play, Pratt said.
The Avalanche lost in overtime, but have already secured their playoff spot.
Pratt and Hakstol will lead the Avalanche in the Monday night game against the Edmonton Oilers and Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames. The team will return to Denver’s Ball Arena for its final home game before playoffs on Thursday.
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