Colorado

Called the “Centennial State,” because it became the 38th state when the U.S. turned 100 in 1876, Colorado is most closely associated with the Rocky Mountains and has numerous peaks over 14,000 feet. The state’s name comes from a Spanish word meaning “red” or “ruddy,” the color of much of the state’s terrain. Today, Colorado is known for its vast cattle ranges, agricultural acreage, and snow-covered mountains that are ideal for winter sports. Its capital is Denver and state flower is the Rocky Mountain columbine.

Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects people all around the world, including in Colorado. It is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are exploited for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.

In Colorado, human trafficking can take many forms, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. It often affects vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, children, and people who are homeless or in poverty.

If you suspect that someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, there are steps you can take to help. You can report the situation to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by text at 233733. You can also contact local law enforcement or a trusted organization that provides services to victims of human trafficking. It is important to remember that the safety of the victim should be the top priority and to handle the situation with care and sensitivity.

NEW REPORT: El Paso County ranks third in human trafficking charges
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NEW REPORT: El Paso County ranks third in human trafficking charges

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) —The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT) recently published their 2023 The Colorado Project Report on human trafficking throughout the state of Colorado. In their report findings, El Paso County ranked third in human trafficking case charges in the state, falling behind Adams County and Arapahoe County. “We conduct this every…

Report: Increased Homeless Population More Vulnerable to Human Trafficking
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Report: Increased Homeless Population More Vulnerable to Human Trafficking

Homelessness can expose people to all kinds of challenges: violence, disease, the freezing cold. Now a Colorado Project report by the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking has added a new danger for those living on the streets of Denver: forced labor and sex trafficking. “Housing instability and homelessness is a top challenge,” says AnnJanette Alejano-Steele,…

Tarrant County 5 Stones September 2023 Meeting
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Tarrant County 5 Stones September 2023 Meeting

Here is our recorded meeting link and chat notes for our September 2023 TC 5 Stones meeting! Our 5 Stones meeting this September consisted of some law enforcement updates and a presentation by Carrie Grace, Executive Director of Freedom Shield Foundation, as she discussed the importance of self-care and avoiding burnout as service providers. Link to the recorded meeting: https://youtu.be/5OzWyCSuUHw…

Forced Labor Continues in Colorado, Years After Vote to End Prison Slavery  – Bolts
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Forced Labor Continues in Colorado, Years After Vote to End Prison Slavery  – Bolts

Throughout Abron Arrington’s decades-long incarceration in Colorado, he often found himself in solitary confinement—not because he was causing trouble, but simply because he refused to work. He didn’t see the point given he was paid 13 cents an hour and figured his time could be better spent learning physics. Before Arrington was incarcerated in 1989,…

‘Human traffickers don’t care what you look like’
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‘Human traffickers don’t care what you look like’

Human trafficking in real life isn’t what movies make it out to be. There’s no superhero coming to save the day dramatically. It doesn’t just happen in foreign countries, it happens in the United States. It just doesn’t happen in big cities, it happens in communities like Fort Morgan and Brush, too. Anyone can become…

Florida keeps using unpaid prison labor to prepare for hurricanes
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Florida keeps using unpaid prison labor to prepare for hurricanes

  As Floridians prepared for Hurricane Idalia to make landfall on the upper central coast earlier this week, several counties deployed unpaid prison labor, as they have in the past, to fill the sandbags used to prevent flood damage. At least four counties — including Lake County, Polk County, Taylor County and Flagler County — relied on…

It’s Nearly Labor Day, and Congress Has a Chance to Abolish Prison Slavery
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It’s Nearly Labor Day, and Congress Has a Chance to Abolish Prison Slavery

Johnny Perez was arrested and incarcerated two days after his daughter was born, a heart-wrenching fact by itself. Perez wanted to be there for his daughter, but he was stuck at a state prison in Coxsackie, New York. He worked hard to save money, but his prison job sewing bed sheets started at 17 cents…

Survivor of human trafficking case shares story in hopes to help others
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Survivor of human trafficking case shares story in hopes to help others

The Denver District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit has been around for six years. In that time, they have investigated over 150 cases and filed lawsuits for 91 cases and 28 indictments in the grand jury. Including, Randy Clark’s case, a Colorado man who has been sentenced to 45 years for assault and human trafficking charges….

Colorado Springs organization looks to continue the fight against human trafficking
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Colorado Springs organization looks to continue the fight against human trafficking

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – The Lotus Foundation was established with the mission of providing services and case management to the survivors of both sex and labor trafficking. ”There are a lot of survivors in the area, not just in Colorado Springs, but in all of Colorado,” executive director of the Lotus Foundation Heather Starr…

The Exodus Road Launches 30-Day Challenge Inviting the Public to Join an Anti-Trafficking, Social Media Movement
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The Exodus Road Launches 30-Day Challenge Inviting the Public to Join an Anti-Trafficking, Social Media Movement

The Exodus Road launches Freedom Summit, a 30-day challenge to raise awareness and funds for the fight against human trafficking. For July, people from around the world will run personal fundraisers to promote awareness and action in the fight against human trafficking. We have a saying here, ‘Justice is in the hands of the ordinary;’…