Drivers entering Colorado from Wyoming on Interstate 25 are being greeted by a controversial billboard that aims to warn travelers about what they may encounter ahead as they come into the state.
The sign reads, "Venezuela Ahead, Be Prepared" on top of what resembles a Venezuelan flag. Small text on the billboard shows it was paid for by "Clipper Properties LLC, Tim Mellon, Member."
The name Timothy Mellon, with a P.O. Box address listing Wyoming, is also found on a Federal Election Commission document that shows Mellon made a significant donation to Trump's campaign in May.
Denver7 spoke with Jorge Fermín, an immigrant who recently arrived to Colorado from Venezuela, who said he was disappointed to hear about the billboard.
"We feel attacked as a community," he said, in Spanish.
Fermín added that he believes his good intentions are being overshadowed by the recent controversy surrounding gangs in the Denver metro area.
“There’s many of us working, waking up early to work, doing the right thing, Fermín tells Denver7, in Spanish. “We feel a little attacked with this type of thing and situation, but we don’t let it affect us, we continue to work."
Scripps News Denver also sat down with Metropolitan State University Political Science professor Robert Preuhs, who said immigration has once again surged as one of the top issues in this year's election — much like it has over the past several decades.
“There's two points to it. One is, of course, the most recent issues that have headlined regarding Aurora. But also, this is an issue that resonates, certainly with Republicans, and it's going to rally their base to some extent, but also may sway some independents," said Preuhs.
While Preuhs said most people have probably already made up their minds about who they'll vote for — things like the billboard could still be effective in the margins.
"Most people have a preference regarding immigration in particular, but also in terms of the presidential candidate that they're going to support. But remember that it's a close election, and you know, while Colorado and Wyoming, in particular, probably aren't going to be all that close, this is another way for the national dialog and narrative to kind of find a particular example, that they can rally their base around for the Republicans, but also potentially sway some independents," he said.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's office issued a statement, saying, “Anyone passing that sign and coming to Denver will soon find the welcoming, inclusive, vibrant city we’re so proud to call home.”
A spokesperson for Governor Jared Polis also issued a statement, saying, "Whoever paid for this silly ad should talk with the former President and his allies in the U.S. Senate, who blocked the tough border security bill to lock down the border.”
An article by the Cowboy State Daily, which was the first to report news of the billboard, states that Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said he "burst out laughing when he saw the billboard for the first time."
Back in May, Sheriff Kozak chatted with Scripps News Denver about a controversial billboard he put up, in attempt to recruit more people from Denver to work in Wyoming.
This article was originally published by Scripps News Denver.
