DENVER — Former President Donald Trump will visit Aurora on Friday, his campaign confirmed Monday.

In its announcement, the Trump campaign called Aurora a “war zone” and claimed the city had seen an “influx of violent Venezuelan prison gang members from Tren de Aragua.”

Trump will speak during a rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center on Friday at 1 p.m. Doors open at 10 a.m. and people can register to attend using this link.

Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement after the announcement saying Trump would find “an incredible city with two years in a row of rapidly declining crime” during his visit.

“Coloradans are united in our love for our state, and we are proud to be a role model for personal freedoms, a vibrant economy and world-class outdoor recreation. I’m sure when he comes to Aurora he will find an incredible city where crime has been declining rapidly for two years in a row and where there are many hard-working people from diverse backgrounds and small businesses driving Colorado’s economy. As Coloradans, we are proud of Aurora, proud of Colorado and proud of the United States of America,” Polis said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (right), who leads Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and is running to represent the state’s 4th Congressional District, said she is “ready and excited” to have the former president in Colorado.

“As I have said for months, we are ready and excited for President Trump to visit Colorado, as we have seen firsthand the terrible impact the Biden-Harris administration has had on our communities. From record food and gas costs to dangerous Venezuelan criminals terrorizing our residents, we are tired of Kamala Harris destroying our state and our country’s future. “We need President Trump back in office and his rally in Aurora on Friday will highlight everything he plans to do to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Boebert said in a statement.

On the other hand, Shad Murib, chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, said that Trump visited Colorado “to spread hatred and division.”

“The last time Donald Trump came to Colorado, he helped ensure that Cory Gardner would lose his election, and he appears poised to do the same to Republican candidates across the state when he visits Aurora this Friday,” Murib said in a statement. “Coloradans make no mistake: Trump is not coming to Aurora to talk about empowering working people and creating a safer, more prosperous America; Trump comes to spew hatred and division that does not reflect the Colorado we fight for every day. Hopefully he plays his greatest hits before his fans leave the rally early, as usual.”

Trump’s planned visit comes just over three weeks after the former president promised to visit Aurora during a rally in New York on September 18. During an event in Uniondale, he said he would come to both Aurora and Springfield, Ohio – which has drawn national attention debunking claims that Haitian immigrants ate residents’ pets in the following weeks.

“I’m going there in the next two weeks,” Trump said. “I’m going to Springfield and I’m going to Aurora. You may never see me again. But that’s okay. I have to do it.” what I have to do.

Denver7 has checked with city officials since Trump’s claim and learned that the city had no knowledge of any plans to visit.

The former president had referenced Aurora during the presidential debate a week earlier, saying immigrants were “taking over cities” and “taking over buildings.” It was an apparent reference to unsubstantiated claims that Venezuelan gang members had taken over three rundown apartment complexes in Aurora.

We took Trump’s claims to Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, who said they were “dramatically exaggerated.”

While at least one arrest warrant from November of last year said gang members “believe they own” one of those complexes – Fitzsimons Place at 1568 Nome Street – residents, city officials and law enforcement have dismissed such claims.

The presence of Tren de Aragua members in Aurora caused a stir when a video went viral showing several gunmen breaking into an apartment in the Edge of Lowry complex. Police later confirmed the video was related to an Aug. 18 shooting and have since issued arrest warrants for all six men in the video.

Police have not linked these men to a gang.

During his rally in New York, Trump also attacked Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, calling him “a Democratic governor who is terrified by the presence of Venezuelan gang members in his state.”

Polis responded, calling Trump’s comments “economically damaging and hurtful lies.”

“When former President Trump actually visits, he will find that the city of Aurora is a strong, vibrant and diverse city of more than 400,000 hard-working Coloradans and a wonderful place to live, run a business, raise a family and Retirement is,” he continued the statement. “I hope the former president takes some time and enjoys some of my favorite places like Golden Saigon and Stanley Marketplace. In Aurora, as in Colorado, we have people from all over the world who contribute every day to making the place the dynamic, amazing place that it is.”

Trump’s visit would be his second in three months. He was in Aspen in August for a fundraiser.