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ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Nearly 200 police calls have been made this year to the Aspen Ridge Apartments in Arvada, making it one of the busiest addresses for law enforcement in the area.
Residents say squatters and problem tenants are making daily life difficult, and both police and management agree that a change in Colorado law has made it harder to get them out.
“They’re not paying nothing. I pay my rent every month,” said resident Darin Barton, who told FOX31 squatters have been moving in and causing problems.
Arvada police say the majority of calls at the complex are for trespassing, often involving people trying to get back into apartments after being removed.
“Our top calls are probably going to be unwanted persons … maybe somebody trying to get back into an apartment that they were squatting in,” said Det. David Snelling with Arvada police.
The video shows people stealing power from outdoor utility boxes. Management said they’ve tried to stop the behavior, but it continues. In a statement, Foothills Management said:
“This is what squatters do … unfortunately this happens quite often. We cannot lock up a cable box we do not own.”
Under Colorado’s new eviction law, landlords must provide longer notice periods and mandatory mediation before evicting tenants, slowing down the process significantly.
Both police and management say they’re doing what they can — with added patrols and extra security — but they’re limited by the law. Police confirmed an arrest was made at the complex Monday morning.
“If we have the availability to arrest them, and take them to jail… hopefully there are consequences that ease that burden on the community,” Snelling said.
In the meantime, residents say “a few bad apples” are making life harder for everyone else. Management says they will continue to work with police to keep the property safe, but notes evictions can only move as fast as state law allows.
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Hanna Powers
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