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.

Food sanitation company fined for illegally employing children across U.S.
|

Food sanitation company fined for illegally employing children across U.S.

Packers Sanitation Services, a food sanitation contractor, has been fined $1.5 million by the U.S. Department of Labor for illegally employing over 100 children in meat processing facilities across eight states, including facilities belonging to some of the largest distributors in the country, such as Tyson Foods, JBS Foods, and Cargill. The department found that…

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for employing over 100 children across US locations
|

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for employing over 100 children across US locations

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday that Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. (PSSI), paid over $1.5 million in civil penalties after the company was discovered to have more than 100 children working in dangerous jobs at meatpacking plants across the country. PSSI, one of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies, started being…

Cleaning service employed four minors at JBS in Greeley, Department of Labor says
|

Cleaning service employed four minors at JBS in Greeley, Department of Labor says

DOL said one of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs across the country. GREELEY, Colo. — One of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across the country including JBS Foods…

Company that hired minors to clean skull-splitters and bone saws at meatpacking plants fined $1.5 million
|

Company that hired minors to clean skull-splitters and bone saws at meatpacking plants fined $1.5 million

One of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across the country, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday as it announced over $1.5 million in civil penalties. The investigation into Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI, began last summer. Department officials…

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for hiring more than 100 children
|

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for hiring more than 100 children

The Department of Labor says one of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs. MINNEAPOLIS — One of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across the country, the U.S. Department…

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for hiring minors
|

Meat plant cleaning service fined $1.5M for hiring minors

MINNEAPOLIS — One of the country’s largest cleaning services for food processing companies employed more than 100 children in dangerous jobs at 13 meatpacking plants across the country, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday as it announced over $1.5 million in civil penalties. The investigation into Packers Sanitation Services Inc., or PSSI, began last…

California and Nevada may ban forced prison labor, involuntary servitude
|

California and Nevada may ban forced prison labor, involuntary servitude

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Lawmakers in Nevada and California are advancing legislation to remove “involuntary servitude” from their states’ constitutions, a move that follows four states’ bans on forced labor that passed in ballot measures last fall. The goal of these proposals is to remove exceptions from the states’ constitutions that allow forced labor as criminal…

Building Trust One Person at a Time: The Victim-Centered Approach to Human Trafficking
|

Building Trust One Person at a Time: The Victim-Centered Approach to Human Trafficking

Connections are being made one woman at a time by offering support and meeting a few basic needs near Atkinson Street in Boston, ground zero of the city’s opioid epidemic. For many women, this is where substance use disorder and human trafficking intersect. Clinical psychologist Dr. Abigail Judge and peer advocate Sandra Andrade hit the…

The ‘Satanic Panic’ Is Back: How a Bygone Moral Crisis Returned With Queer Artists In Its Crosshairs
|

The ‘Satanic Panic’ Is Back: How a Bygone Moral Crisis Returned With Queer Artists In Its Crosshairs

Editor’s note: this look at American culture is here for your research into “Satanic Panic.”  On Feb. 6, 2023, certain corners of the internet could not stop talking about Sam Smith and Kim Petras. The night prior (Sunday, Feb. 5), the pair took home a Grammy Award for best pop duo/group performance, marking the first-ever…

California may ban forced prison labor, servitude
|

California may ban forced prison labor, servitude

Lawmakers backing the legislation hope to replicate the success of similar measures that passed last fall in Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Lawmakers in Nevada and California are advancing legislation to remove “involuntary servitude” from their states’ constitutions, a move that follows four states’ bans on forced labor that passed in ballot…