Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump is making a campaign stop in Aurora Friday. With the event at the Gaylord Rockies resort, Trump is making good on a pledge to visit the city he has falsely claimed has been taken over by a Venezuelan gang. The rally began around 11:15 a.m. with an introduction by Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams, followed by speeches by Colorado Republican leaders. The news release from the Trump campaign announcing the stop described Aurora as a “war zone.” “Kamala’s border bloodbath has made every state a border state, leaving Colorado families at the mercy of criminals,” the release said. On Sept. 18, Trump vowed to visit Aurora within two weeks. He also said he would visit Springfield, Ohio. The Trump campaign has pushed a false smear that Haitian migrants there are eating cats and dogs. Trump has not announced a campaign stop in Springfield. Trump recently said that his plan for the largest deportation in American history, to be carried out by local police forces, would begin in Aurora and Springfield. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, told 9NEWS he will not appear at Trump’s rally. "Former President Trump’s visit to Aurora is an opportunity to show him and the nation that Aurora is a considerably safe city – not a city overrun by Venezuelan gangs," the mayor said in a statement earlier this week. "My public offer to show him our community and meet with our police chief for a briefing still stands." More local videos here: https://bit.ly/2Pa0d1l Subscribe to NEXT: http://bit.ly/2eP1GwI Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: http://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.