Newly revealed emails indicate that authorities in Aurora, Colorado, were aware of a rise in Venezuelan-linked crime as far back as summer 2023, focusing on two specific apartment complexes. This predates public knowledge of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang's activities in the area by almost a year.

These emails, obtained by America First Legal and shared with Fox News Digital, reveal communication between state and local officials concerning threats posed by Venezuelan nationals, some potentially connected to the TdA. In February 2024, an Aurora Police Department (APD) official mentioned "possible Venezuelan ties" and highlighted two apartment buildings experiencing issues. An official stated that both locations housed Venezuelan refugees and had witnessed numerous violent incidents involving Venezuelan suspects since approximately June 2023.

ICE Denver apprehends a suspected Venezuelan gang member in Aurora, Colo. (ICE Denver)

The officials also discussed the difficulties in identifying individuals with no prior U.S. history. In January, the APD noted that the Papagayo Foundation had placed Venezuelan refugees in these properties, possibly facilitating the arrival of TdA members, according to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Concerning another apartment complex, Aurora police reported a significant rise in service calls, almost doubling from 2022 to 2023 and projected to double again by the end of 2024. These calls related to various offenses, including vehicle theft, robbery, drugs, trespassing, sexual assault, and aggravated assault. The police refuted claims of neglecting patrols or responses to the complex.

Documents tracking incidents at CBZ Management-owned properties (11 complexes in Colorado) detailed further alleged crimes, including assaults on property managers, arrests of armed individuals allegedly en route to harm a property manager, a stabbing, and multiple occurrences involving armed men.

Police search for evidence at apartment buildings in Aurora, Colo., on Dec. 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)

Last year, CBZ claimed TdA members had taken over entire buildings through threats and extortion attempts, targeting rent money. Local authorities, however, considered these assertions exaggerated.

A February 2024 email detailed Aurora police contacting ICE HSI to identify potential TdA members or Venezuelan nationals, noting identifiers such as red No. 23 jerseys or gang tattoos.

These revelations follow numerous reports about the increasing Venezuelan and TdA presence in Colorado and the associated violence. A widely circulated video from August depicting alleged Venezuelan gang members carrying firearms within an Aurora apartment complex brought attention to immigration concerns in Denver. During his re-election campaign, then-President Donald Trump visited Aurora and outlined "Operation Aurora" to expedite the removal of "savage gangs."

Then-interim Aurora Police Chief Heather Morris downplayed the situation in August, denying that gang members had "taken over" the complex. However, a former resident, Cindy Romero, countered this claim on Fox News, stating the filmed incident was not isolated and sharing personal footage of similar events.

Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang took over an apartment building in Aurora, Colo., charging rent in exchange for "protection." (Edward Romero | Aurora Police Department)

A recent ICE raid in Aurora, targeting the gang, was allegedly compromised by leaked information, allowing some members to escape. The leak is under investigation. America First Legal Counsel Michael Ding criticized progressive politicians for downplaying the presence of illegal migrant criminal gangs and pledged continued investigation into why state and local sanctuaries haven't done more to address the issue.