The year 2020 reshaped the world with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, driving people to seek change and open spaces to live with their families. Social media emerged as a primary form of entertainment, while commerce giants like Amazon, Doordash, Target, and Walmart deliveries transformed our way of life. Third-world countries struggled even more, as people worldwide searched for solutions beyond what their nations could provide.
On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden was inaugurated, yet his administration faced challenges like border security issues, leading to crisis such as overcrowded sanctuary cities and the Colony Ridge problem in Texas, was exacerbated by the pandemic.
Colony Ridge Targets Latino Communities with the Promise of Achieving the American Dream
Through Spanish-language marketing and numerous marketing names such as Terrenos Houston, this company offers land with minimal down payments, requiring only two forms of ID from any county. They utilize trendy TikTok dances and visually appealing imagery, featuring young girls with lavish makeup and colorful outfits, to captivate potential buyers. Additionally, Colony Ridge ensures that all utilities are included in the land purchase, simplifying the process of setting up a trailer home for new residents.
At the height of the pandemic, Colony Ridge found itself in a favorable position amidst various factors: the Covid-19 crisis kept people at home, where they could easily view Colony Ridge’s enticing advertisements; a surge in border crossings increased the pool of potential buyers; and certain politicians, like Ernest Bailes, turned a blind eye to the issues within Colony Ridge, allowing its operations to continue unchecked.
In a significant move, State Representative Ernest Bailes with Senator Robert Nichols gave the approval for Colony Ridge to establish a Municipal Management District (MMD), granting the development additional authority and resources.
This decision, referenced in Attorney General Ken Paxton’s letter marked a pivotal moment in Colony Ridge’s expansion and influence within the community.
With a combination of factors favoring Colony Ridge, including the influx of people into Texas, the development experienced substantial growth from 2020 to 2024. Notably, in 2020, Colony Ridge expanded with the development of Santa Fe Section 6, laying the foundation for its subsequent growth.
Today, Colony Ridge continues to expand, with the sale of Santa Fe 20 showcasing its ongoing development and market presence.
Given the increased land sales at Colony Ridge communities, the area has seen a surge in population, exacerbating existing challenges in an underdeveloped environment. The lack of proper infrastructure, including a police department, fire hydrants, schools, and traffic lights, has created numerous issues. High crime rates persist, compounded by a large number of residents who are unable to vote or lack knowledge of the law, further complicating matters.
The substantial population influx is crucial for Colony Ridge, not a problem, particularly considering the Municipal Management District (MMD) they have established with the assistance of Ernest Bailes and Roberto Nichols. The primary driving force behind this is property taxes.
This Municipal Management District (MMD) has enabled Colony Ridge to move around substantial sums of money as easy as taking candy from a baby, or rather, millions of dollars from land taxes amounting to $16 million. This was achieved through collaborations with Liberty Paving, a paving company affiliated with the developers.
Alarming Conditions at Colony Ridge Communities
Alarmingly, Colony Ridge faces persistent water issues, neglected by authorities, causing growing worry among long-time residents and newcomers alike. False promises of safety and flood-free living at Colony Ridge aka Terrenos Houston remain unfulfilled today as even mild rain leads to flooding.
Raw Sewage Seen Pouring Out of the Ground
Raw sewage contaminating the ground and drinking water adds to the residents’ concerns. Despite repeated outreach from Plum Grove, Texas residents to Ernest Bailes, their concerns have been disregarded, leaving them feeling neglected in favor of developers’ interests, evident in decisions supporting the creation of a new city by John Harris and William Trey Harris.
Spotlight on Colony Ridge
Let’s rewind to September 2023 when Colony Ridge captured global headlines, courtesy of the Dailywire. The spotlight on Colony Ridge extended to the Texas House and Senate. Unfortunately, when it was the victims’ turn to speak out about Colony Ridge, the Texas senators sided with the developers, effectively silencing them. Suellen Sanchez and Keilah Sanchez penned letters to the Texas senators, expressing their concerns, but by October 31, 2023, they felt dismissed and betrayed by those meant to represent them, who appeared to align with the developers instead. Despite presenting comprehensive details to the Texas senators about the true conditions in Colony Ridge and serving as voices for those too afraid to speak out, the Sanchez sisters’ efforts were still disregarded as the senators chose to ignore the evident red flags.
Also Read: Colony Ridge: The Silenced Victims – Terrenos Houston Demanda
Colony Ridge Victims Vindicated
On December 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Colony Ridge developers for predatory financing and unlawful conduct, raising nationwide concerns about immigrant issues. Suellen Sanchez and Keilah Sanchez have diligently forwarded leads to the CFPB since the investigation’s inception, shedding light on Colony Ridge’s affairs since 2022.
Politicians Shifting Blame
Currently, Ernest Bailes appears to be aligning with Judge Jay Knight, accusing Governor Greg Abbott of engaging in a reverse Robin Hood scenario.
Bailes allegedly aims to distance himself from the Colony Ridge situation, but Abbott seemingly deflects blame onto him. It’s notable that Colony Ridge, one of Abbott’s top donors, contributed $1.5 million to his campaign. As election season approaches, such debates are inevitable. However, amidst the political turmoil, residents of Plum Grove suffer, losing property value and feeling threatened by Colony Ridge developers. Those who speak out against corruption risk their safety, highlighting the precarious situation faced by both residents and dissenters.
New: Abbott’s response to Bailes this morning at an #HD55 event:
“Ernest Bailes is very defensive right now because he’s the one who created Colony Ridge that led to an influx of illegal immigrants in the area, & he did nothing about it.” #txlege
(H/t @kwtx for the video) https://t.co/SOpRxhDPiI pic.twitter.com/MJTAgKXK2f
— Brad Johnson (@bradj_TX) February 19, 2024
The question is, if Ernest Bailes observed Colony Ridge failing to adhere to legal requirements or committing violations, wasn’t it his duty to report these issues to the appropriate authorities, regardless of whether he approved the MMD or not? Rep. Bailes remained silent. Now, as elections approach, he has decided to speak out after countless people have suffered devastating losses. Even then, Bailes chooses to deflect blame. This game of finger-pointing has inflicted immense losses, tears, and suffering upon many, and it’s imperative to prioritize accountability over political gamesmanship.
Background on the Growth of Colony Ridge:
December 2, 2020 – Dolcefino Consulting: “Colony Ridge, a huge Liberty County housing development of more than 15,000”
The Consequences Of The Colonia – Dolcefino Consulting
December 14, 2023 – Houston Landing reports that Colony Ridge has sold over 35,000 plots of land.
Why do so many Colony Ridge residents lose their properties?
Rep. Ernest Bailes has known of the impact of Colony Ridge for years:
More About Ernest Bailes
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