Aurora, CO. CALL TO ACTION: Rally to Support Immigrant Tenants in Aurora Press Conference, January 13th, 2025 at 1:30pm 

Rally and Court Watch:  Justice for Edge of Lowry Tenants

Press Release: Press Conference, January 13th, 2025 at 1:30pm 

AURORA, CO

For months, the residents of CBZ Management properties have been vilified by the local and national press, categorizing many working families as gang members. This is in spite of years of documented complaints against CBZ management for unlawful conditions to include sewage leakage, rodent and insect infestations, failure to pick up garbage regularly, black mold, and other indignities suffered by residents. Only recently had the city of Aurora and CBZ management come to a preliminary agreement on the future of the Edge of Lowry apartments. In a court hearing on 12/6/24, attorneys for the City and CBZ agreed the building should be shut down, and under the proposed settlement, the 60 apartment units would be shuttered for a year while the City repairs issues at the property.  Exact details — including when the 60-unit complex will be closed and what happens to the people living in its five buildings — remain unclear.

We are encouraged that the City of Aurora has stated that CBZ management is responsible for paying for the relocation of tenants currently living in the building, and that the city will recover any costs it incurs for rehousing current residents… but we have yet to hear of any firm plans to make this happen.

A group of community organizations and advocates who have been working with tenants at CBZ properties have made several attempts to communicate and collaborate with the city of Aurora, offering their experience from helping tenants from the condemned 1568 Nome street find new housing, and sent an email to the city of Aurora requesting a meeting. The city of Aurora has not responded to this email request. We know we can be more successful if we work together on this process upfront, but the city has yet to respond. – 

We recognize that without a quick resolution, this situation will only worsen, especially as these communities have been increasingly harassed and targeted by law enforcement. Residents have been forced to take $1200 buyouts in order to leave within 24 hours, an insufficient sum of money and an insufficient amount of time to relocate, especially for families with small children. Given that this is happening in the middle of winter threatens the safety and well-being of these residents, who are already under enormous stress given the upcoming administration.

In response to this threat, community organizers and residents from the affected buildings are mobilizing to Aurora Municipal Court on Monday, January 13 to:

1. Demand the city create a robust, clear relocation process for tenants living at the Edge of Lowry, so no tenants are left houseless when the apartment building is closed. Meet with community organizations to plan this process. 

2. Let the city know we are watching – and that CBZ Management should be held accountable for their mismanagement and negligence of their properties that are home to dozens of families  

3. Advocate that the city explore tools for enforcing living conditions and holding slumlords accountable

WHEN:  Monday, January 13th, 2025 TIME  1:30 PM 
WHERE: Aurora Municipal Court (14999 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012)

Media Contacts:
Jon Marcantoni, Redress Movement – 719-646-8361, jmarcantoni@redressmovement.org 
Nate Kassa, East Colfax Community Collective – 720-665-8928, nate@eastcolfaxcc.org 
V Reeves, Housekeys Action Network Denver –
701-484 2634, info@housekeysactionnetwork.com