AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Former President Donald Trump may be coming back to Colorado soon.
The former president said he is coming in light of stories surrounding alleged gang activity at deteriorated apartment complexes in Aurora gaining national attention.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said he has not heard from the former president, but he welcomes him to come to the city and check out what's happening on the ground for himself.
"I'm going to go there in the next two weeks. I'm going to Springfield and I'm going to Aurora. You may never see me again, but that's OK. I got to do what I've got to do," Trump said to rally-goers in New York on Wednesday.
News of the former president planning to visit Aurora came as a surprise to Coffman, a Republican mayor. FOX31 asked Coffman if he heard from Trump's team before he made the announcement or if he's heard from them since.
"No, we didn't hear before and we have yet to hear from the campaign confirmation that he's coming," Coffman said.
The former president expressed interest in coming to the city following reports of alleged gang activity at two apartment complexes where some immigrant families live.
"We've gotta save our country. Our country is going down. If you look at what is happening with the Venezuelans taking over. I mean they are taking over large pieces of real estate in Colorado," Trump claimed during the rally.
"It's only affected two apartment complexes. And we've since proactively dealt with that. So we'd certainly update the former president on where we are on that issue," Coffman said.
The mayor said he would welcome the former president, hoping to give him a tour of the complexes and an opportunity to get briefed on the facts of the cases surrounding the incidents that went viral.
"I think it's an opportunity to show him the city and to be able for him to understand that the narrative that this city is somehow controlled by Venezuelan gangs is not accurate," Coffman said.
The Republican mayor of Springfield, Ohio is encouraging the former president not to come, saying a visit could strain city resources. While Coffman welcomes the former president, he feels that the rhetoric surrounding the cases has hurt the city.
"That inaccurate narrative that is out there has a negative effect on this city. Not simply from the standpoint from the fact that we are a very diverse city, but also from the standpoint of our economy," said Coffman.
FOX31 reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. They responded by simply saying, "Please stay tuned."
On Friday, Aurora police are set to give an update on the people seen in the viral video at the apartment complex.