Former President Donald Trump called on Colorado voters to deliver a protest vote at a rally in Aurora, Co. on Friday. FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: There's more enthusiasm today than ever before. But there was great indignation in Colorado by what this ineffective person did.

By Ted Hesson, Nathan Frandino, Kristina Cooke AURORA, Colorado (Reuters) -Donald Trump will hold an immigration-focused rally on Friday in Aurora, Colorado, a place the Republican presidential candidate has falsely depicted as a "war zone" overrun by Venezuelan gang members even as local officials have denied the allegations and Venezuelans have expressed fear they are being scapegoated.

A bipartisan group of county clerks gathered next to a ballot drop box in Highlands Ranch on Thursday morning to mark the occasion. They shared key election dates and deadlines and — amid still-prevalent election denialism and baseless conspiracy theories — emphasized that Colorado’s paper ballot-based election systems are accurate and secure.

The former president bit his tongue, making no mention of the criticisms lobbied against him by a Democratic heavyweight.

Former President Donald Trump campaigned in Aurora, Colo., focusing on immigration and his plan for mass deportation of undocumented migrants. This after he spread falsehoods about migrants and gangs overrunning the city.

Donald Trump has said alleged criminal migrants are taking control of Aurora, which the city's mayor described as "grossly exaggerated".

Donald Trump stepped away from battleground states Friday, campaigning in Colorado and driving a message that migrants are causing chaos in smaller American cities and towns, often using false or misleading claims to do so.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - On Friday, county officials started sending out ballots as voting boxes have officially opened. The Secretary of State explained how she is making sure those votes will be secure.

The Republican nominee has long promised to stage the largest deportation operation in US history and has made immigration core to his political persona since the day he launched his first campaign in 2015.

Former President Trump is expected to announce “Operation Aurora" during his rally in Colorado Friday afternoon.

The Republican presidential nominee has said Venezuelan criminals are taking control of Aurora, a claim the city's mayor has called "exaggerated".