Colorado State Senate passes bill to increase punishment for human trafficking

(DENVER) — On Friday, March 1, the Colorado State Senate passed Senate Bill 24-035, which increases the punishment for human trafficking crimes.

The bill redefines crimes related to human trafficking as “crimes of violence.” It also lengthens the statute of limitations from 5 years to 20 years and does not alter the unlimited statute of limitations for human trafficking for sexual servitude of a minor.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Byron Pelton (R), Senator Rhonda Fields (D), and Representative Ty Winter (R). During the committee hearing for the bill, many human trafficking survivors relayed their stories and stood in support of the bill. The bill passed 33-1.

RELATED: Three misconceptions about human trafficking in Colorado

“For too long human traffickers have been evading justice thanks in part to our state’s soft-on-crime human trafficking laws,” Senator Byron Pelton said. “It’s an insult to victims and their families to deny them the justice they are owed– this bill is long overdue. By increasing the penalties and lengthening the statute of limitations we are sending a clear signal to human traffickers that God’s children are not for sale!”

According to the Colorado Senate Republicans’ website, the conviction rate for human trafficking is “notoriously low,” and legislators at the Capitol have been trying to overhaul human trafficking legislation for several years.

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