Tag: human trafficking
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Federal judge partially allows second World Cup trafficking lawsuit to move forward
A federal judge allowed some claims to move forward last month against companies operating out of Colorado that allegedly participated in a human trafficking venture involving Filipino laborers who constructed facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. There are three lawsuits pending in Colorado, each brought by a group of workers under the federal…
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Federal judge refuses to authorize immediate appeal in World Cup trafficking lawsuit
A federal judge declined to authorize an immediate appeal last week of a prior decision allowing companies operating out of Colorado to be sued for allegedly participating in a human trafficking venture involving Filipino laborers who constructed facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Occasionally, trial judges’ decisions are subject to mid-case, or “interlocutory,”…
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EDITORIAL: Legal prostitution? A new legislative low
Colorado Democrats have introduced a bill to decriminalize “commercial sexual activity” — i.e., prostitution. And Senate Bill 26-097 isn’t just legalization. It provides no limits on prostitution, solicitation, businesses, patronizing or public displays. That goes far beyond even Nevada, where prostitution is legal but extensively regulated and limited to licensed brothels, with licensed employees. And…
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Pretend progress hurts human trafficking victims | Rachel Stovall
Colorado’s SB26-097 is being marketed as compassion. It tells us it will help victims of prostitution. It claims to reduce harm. Great marketing but also the reason this bill is dangerous. Legal commercial sex markets around the world like Nevada have demonstrated that when a state normalizes commercial sex, demand increases. When demand increases, illegal…
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PERSPECTIVE: Colorado’s human trafficking is getting worse
I have seen evil in the world, and it does not go away because we as a society would prefer it to. It needs to be fought energetically. Human trafficking sounds like a Hollywood crime carried out by mafiosi and transnational cartels, but the reality is up close, life-destroying and pernicious. After 33 years as a prosecutor in Denver, I have…
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The fight against online child exploitation
I remember staying up into the early hours of the morning, waiting anxiously for my husband to come back from undercover work in Southeast Asia. He was working with law enforcement as an informant investigating the sex trafficking of children. He spent hours identifying minors in brothels, talking with traffickers, and walking dangerous red-light districts…
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EDITORIAL: A needed crackdown on Colorado’s child trafficking
As reported this week by our news affiliate Colorado Politics, lawmakers are promising a new foray against child trafficking when the 2026 legislative session convenes at the Capitol next week. It’s welcome news. Colorado is believe to be in the top 10 states for human trafficking. Proposed, bipartisan legislation will turn up the heat on…
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Colorado legislators eye ramping up penalties for child trafficking
Colorado legislators on Monday announced a proposal to ramp up the penalties for human trafficking of children. The proposal, which received the backing of Democratic and Republican leaders in the House, will address one of the many problems when dealing with individuals who buy children for sexual exploitation — penalties so low that most offenders…
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COLUMN: Trust, partnerships powered FBI’s field work in 2025
By Mark Michalek As the year comes to a close, Coloradans are reflecting on what has changed, what has endured and what still demands our attention. Public safety remains among the most important responsibilities of government. Violent crime, drug trafficking, child exploitation, fraud and cybercrime continue to threaten communities across our state. Meeting those challenges…
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Mother calls for accommodations in trafficking case of disabled Colorado Springs woman
The sex trafficking case involving a disabled Colorado Springs woman is headed for a trial, but her mother is advocating for accommodations in what is expected to be a grueling court process for the family. Alleged Crips gang member Tieson Craig, 48, is facing human trafficking and pimping charges after investigators connected him to the…