CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Relatives of the majority of people killed in a Colorado movie theater are rejecting an invitation to attend its reopening, calling it a "disgusting offer."

The parents, grandparents, cousins and widow of nine of the 12 people killed released a letter Wednesday sent to the theater's owner, Cinemark.

The Plano, Texas-based company has been renovating the Aurora theater and plans to re-open it Jan. 17. The company had no immediate comment.

The families said they were invited to an "evening of remembrance" followed by a movie.

They said the company's timing was "awful" in sending the invitations two days after Christmas.

Associated Press