Is Latin American-style gangsterism gaining a foothold in the US? There are troubling signs of it, said Collin Pruett in The American Conservative. Visiting Texas’s border with Mexico last year, I found a “population under siege, overstretched police”, and Mexican cartels smuggling migrants and drugs with impunity.

And the problem seems to be spreading. In April, a Native American tribal leader from Montana cancelled his plans to testify before Congress, citing death threats from the Sinaloa cartel. And the past fortnight has brought reports of a Venezuelan gang seizing control of an apartment complex in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, Colorado. “The brazen nature of the takeover, common in Latin America but unprecedented in the US, alarmed local citizens.” Videos from residents showed men with semi-automatic weapons barging into apartments. There have been reports of violent assaults, threats of murder, extortion, and child prostitution.

Back in April, the US Border Patrol chief, Jason Owens, warned Americans to “watch out” for the Tren de Aragua gang, said Luige del Puerto in The Denver Gazette. Venezuela’s most powerful criminal organisation, it began life as a prison gang a decade ago but has since spread to other countries in South and Central America, and now to the US. Officials acknowledge that the gang is operating in the Denver region, but they claim it isn’t a major threat. They’ve dismissed reports of gangsters seizing control of the apartments as wild exaggerations, insisting there have merely been isolated crimes.

A lot of nonsense has been spouted about this, said The Denver Post. Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelans were “taking over the whole town”; Colorado Republicans claimed their state was “under violent attack”. Baloney. The fuss was instigated by the owners of the apartment complex, who are using gangs as “a scapegoat for the unsanitary, unsafe and unhealthy” conditions – a source of bitter complaint among residents.

Others have blown the story out of proportion for political reasons, or out of simple anti-immigrant prejudice. The fact is, the Denver region has always had some gang activity. According to the US Justice Department, prominent local gangs include the Bloods, Crips, Sureños 13, North Side Mafia and Gangster Disciples. “The addition of the Tren de Aragua gang to the mix is a dangerous complication, but not a cause for panic.”

The Colorado Buffaloes will be donning their popular all-white “stormtrooper” uniforms for the upcoming Rocky Mountain Showdown against the Colorado State Rams.

Known for their sleek and striking appearance, these uniforms consist of white pants, a white helmet, and the Buffs’ new white jerseys, which are highlighted by an embroidered mountain range on the sleeves. This specific uniform combination has become a fan favorite, showcasing the team’s style and connection to the state’s iconic Rocky Mountains.

The last time Colorado wore an all-white set was during the 2023 season opener against TCU. However, those uniforms were accented with gold, contrasting with the traditional black accents featured in this Saturday’s matchup. The shift to black-accented jerseys adds a classic touch to the stormtrooper look, keeping in line with Colorado’s storied football traditions.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, with the game being broadcast live on CBS. Both teams enter the 93rd edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown with identical 1-1 records, adding extra stakes to this in-state rivalry. The showdown promises to be a fierce battle between the two teams, each looking to claim state bragging rights.

Fans and media alike have been buzzing on social media, sharing their excitement and anticipation for one of Colorado’s most iconic football matchups. The pregame hype is building as the Buffaloes prepare to take the field in their all-white uniforms, ready to make a statement against their in-state rivals.

Colorado looks to make it seven straight over CSU. They come into the game as a 7.5-point favorite.