Colorado
Vance repeats claim that gangs have ‘taken over’ Aurora amid pushback from mayor, media
Trump campaigns in Aurora, Colorado, after hyping Venezuelan gang activity in city
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump visited Aurora, Colorado, to hold an event his campaign said would focus on “Tren de Aragua, a gang of Venezuelan illegal immigrants,” which they said is terrorizing the city.
Allegations that Venezuelan gangs are taking over Aurora, Colorado, which have been deemed “grossly exaggerated” by the city’s mayor, are back on the national stage after a series of Trump campaign appearances over the weekend.
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance rehashed the claims in an exchange with ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz Sunday as he stood by the allegations. Speaking with the Ohio Senator on “This Week,” Raddatz asked Vance if he supports former President Donald Trump’s comments saying that immigrants have “invaded” the Colorado city. Trump touted this claim at the September presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, and USA TODAY previously reported that Republican Mayor Mike Coffman denied the notion that members of the gang had “taken over,” characterizing them as “overstated.”
Vance told Raddatz if the claims are exaggerated, “that means there’s gotta be some element of truth here.”
“I’m gonna stop you, because I know exactly what happened,” Raddatz says. ” the incidents were limited to a handful of apartment complexes.”
“Do you hear yourself? On a handful of apartment complexes in America were taken over by Venezuelan gangs?” Vance replies, accusing Raddatz of “nitpicking” Trump.
More: Searching for voters, Donald Trump goes dark(er) with pre-election rhetoric
Trump spotlights Venezuelan gang claims in Colorado visit
Trump blamed Harris for immigration issues at a rally in Aurora, Colorado Friday, calling the city a “war zone” for the alleged activity of Venezuelan gang members.
At the rally, Trump announced a new plan – dubbed “Operation Aurora” – to remove undocumented immigrants connected to gangs, using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
“I will rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded and conquered,” Trump told the crowd. “We will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them out of our country.”
Ahead of Trump’s visit, Coffman said in a statement, “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.”
After Trump’s visit, Coffman said he was disappointed Trump did not get to see more of the city.
“I cannot overstate enough that nothing was said (Friday) that has not been said before and for which the city has not responded with the facts,” Coffman said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “Again, the reality is that the concerns about Venezuelan gang activity in our city – and our state – have been grossly exaggerated and have unfairly hurt the city’s identity and sense of safety.”
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse
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Colorado
Julian Lewis Says Deion Sanders’ Colorado ‘Wasn’t Really Looking at Defenses Much’ Last Season
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis made a stunning admission that could explain the team’s 3-9 finish to the 2025 season.
While speaking to ESPNU at Big 12 media days, Lewis was asked what the biggest difference was between last year and this year, and he revealed that the Deion Sanders-coached Buffaloes typically didn’t watch film during his first season with the team.
“My play, I’m actually looking at the defenses now,” Lewis said. “Last year, we wasn’t really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school free-balling, just out there playing football. But it’s a lot bigger than that now, so it should be fun.”
Before taking a redshirt year, Lewis played in four games as a true freshman with two starts and threw for 589 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 55.3 percent of his passes. He should fare even better this season with the benefit of film study.
Lewis will enter the 2026 campaign as Colorado’s starting quarterback, so he will have the opportunity to show his improvements when the Buffaloes open the year against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
State and federal agencies are starting to reopen public lands, state wildlife areas and a segment of the Colorado River that were closed in light of the Snyder Fire in Mesa County.
Stage 2 fire restrictions — banning all open fire or flames, including charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves — remain in effect as extreme fire danger, spurred on by hot and dry conditions, persists across the region.
The Snyder Fire started on Friday, June 26, when several smaller fires burning on the Colorado-Utah border combined. As of July 7, the fire was 98% contained after burning over 30,200 acres and killing three wildland firefighters.
With fire activity decreasing and containment increasing, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management shared their plans Tuesday to reopen lands impacted by the wildfire.
Parks and Wildlife said in a news release that it, alongside the Bureau of Land Management, had lifted the closure for public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River, starting at the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita and extending to the Utah state line. It also reopened the boat ramp at the Fruita section of the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to downstream traffic.
The state agency’s Horsethief State Wildlife Area in Fruita and the Loma Boat Launch State Wildlife Area also reopened.
The BLM said in a news release that all lands within the perimeter of the Snyder Fire burn area remain closed to ensure public and firefighter safety.
“The burned landscape — including vegetation — remains dynamic and unpredictable as it naturally recovers from the fire impacts. This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until the order is rescinded,” the BLM said.
Both agencies also warned that fire danger remains extremely elevated and Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place.
A map of current federal and state fire restrictions is available on the Rocky Mountain Area Interagency Fire Restriction Dashboard or by visiting DFPC.Colorado.Gov/sections/wildfire-information-center. The Colorado Trails Explorer (or COTREX) app also has wildfire closure alerts.
Under current conditions, Parks and Wildlife advised the following actions to prevent sparking wildfires:
- Use established rings: Where permitted, only build campfires inside permanent metal fire rings in designated campgrounds.
- Clear nearby debris: Remove all dry grass, leaves and pine needles within a 10-foot radius of any flame.
- Drown and stir: Extinguish fires completely with water, stir the ashes, and ensure the debris is cold to the touch.
- Watch campfires constantly: Never leave a fire or portable stove unattended. If you see an unattended fire, call 911.
- Keep vehicles off brush: Avoid parking or idling cars on tall, dry grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite a fire.
- Secure towing equipment: Ensure trailer safety chains do not drag and spark against asphalt. Check them at every stop.
The BLM added that under its Stage 2 restrictions, smoking is prohibited except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Gas-powered stoves or grills with a shut-off valve are still allowed in cleared areas under this stage.
Violating Stage 2 fire restrictions by lighting a campfire is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Violators face an immediate citation, a mandatory court appearance, steep fines and potential jail time. Additionally, you can be held financially liable for all fire suppression costs and property damage if the campfire sparks a wildfire.
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