Residents of the Edge of Lowry apartment complex in Aurora have finally moved on after enduring years of unsafe living conditions. Among them is the Moreno-Rey family, who now have a stable home after enduring months of fear and uncertainty.
On Tuesday morning, the troubled apartment complex was officially shut down, possibly bringing a long, slow, chaotic saga that began to gain national attention in August to an end. This was brought about after a series of issues concerning the alleged gang activity alongside lawlessness, defunct living conditions, and a subsequent multitude of law enforcement raids to police the area.
A Complex in Crisis
The Edge of Lowry was first noticed after a viral video in August flashing armed men patrolling the hallways of the apartment, which caused the property to be overrun by gangs. The video single-handedly turned the apartment complex into a political touchstone, garnering scrutiny from law enforcement and local authorities.
Towards the start of February, federal agents, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), swooped down on various locations around the Edge of Lowry Mountains area, including the complex itself. Authorities later confirmed the operation was against criminal activities connected with Venezuelan gang members.
For Jeniffer Moreno and Yamid Weimar Rey, these incidents only worsened the nightmare they were already living through. Their life in the complex for the past two years has been defined by structural deterioration, an infestation of sorts, and utter neglect.
Moreno had previously shared disturbing images of her apartment, which included roaches scuttling over her kitchen cooktop, walls that had gaping holes, and a lot of other neglected aspects of the living space.
“We started having problems there from the beginning,” Moreno told Denver7 in Spanish.
City Assistance and Relocation Efforts
Civic leaders and many community activists pressured the City of Aurora over several months and finally, the City intervened. They hired Property Solutions Colorado as an “officer in possession,” in which the company has the authority to manage the property to relocate the remaining tenants.
For relocation, Property Solutions spent over $94,000 subdivided among 85 residents at the Edge of Lowry, which includes each family’s relocation to new housing, which is considered much safer than where they currently are.
The Moreno-Rey family is now one of the families that has relocated, facilitated by the city. They have now begun another chapter inside their new apartment and no longer live in the chaos and uncertainty that came with their previous apartment.
A New Beginning
With their 12-year-old daughter in the picture, Rey and Moreno are finally breathing easy in their new home.
“It’s serene—there’s a lot of peace,” Rey said. “I’m extremely happy that we finally have a stable base.”
Living at the Edge of Lowry was not ideal, but the couple’s new home allows them to breathe easier and focus on rebuilding their lives.
Ongoing Criticism of Aurora
Some people are glad to hear that Edge of Lowry is closed, but tenant advocates are angry it was not shut down earlier.
Activists came together on Tuesday morning to protest how the municipality is handling the issue. They alleged that elected officials stood by for months while the conditions got worse instead of doing anything.
The city did push back on those claims, describing them as “misleading” and “inflammatory misinformation” perpetuated by “some community advocates.” They claimed that relocating residents was their main focus and that steps were being taken to resolve broader safety issues around the complex.
Looking Forward
The closing of the Edge of Lowry is now a chapter for its previous inhabitants as they reminisce about their past. Although their dreadful living condition has been put to rest, many families are still trying to cope with their new circumstances.
For the Moreno-Rey family, the move has already made a significant impact. After months of stress, uncertainty, and fear, they now have something they didn’t have before—stability.
