The Colorado movie theater where a shocking gun rampage in July killed 12 people and wounded 58 others reopened Thursday despite criticism from the families of some of the victims.

A night of remembrance was held at the Aurora Century 16 cinema complex in the theater next to the one where James Holmes, a 25-year-old former doctoral student in neuroscience, is alleged to have carried out the terrifying shooting spree.

In an effort to offer support, elected officials and community members joined victims and their relatives at the ceremony, which was followed by a screening of "The Hobbit." They also acknowledged that the decision to reopen the movie theater remained controversial.

Earlier this month, the relatives of nine people killed in the attack said the invitation to the remembrance event was "disgusting" and "wholly offensive to the memory of our loved ones."

They criticized the timing of the invitation, two days after Christmas, and called it a publicity ploy by Cinemark USA, which runs the movie theater.

"Our family members will never be on this Earth with us again and a movie ticket and some token words from people who didn't care enough to reach out to us, nor respond when we reached out to them to talk, is appalling," the family members wrote in a letter to the theater chain's management that they shared with CNN.

Local officials, though, described the re-opening Thursday as a positive step for the community.

Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan said it was "part of the recovery process," and that he had attended the event because he could not "allow the shooter in any way, shape, or form to win."

"We heard overwhelming support from the people of Aurora to reopen it and restore its place as a valued part of our community," Hogan said. "Many still suffer or grieve, and we will continue to support all of them in whatever way we can for as long as they need it."

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper echoed Hogan's sentiments.