By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics
A Democratic-controlled House committee killed legislation that supporters said would put more teeth into Colorado law following hours of testimony, in which victims who were bought and sold as children for purposes of sexual exploitation sought to persuade lawmakers to advance the measure.
House Bill 1092 would have mandated minimum sentences for those who buy children for sexual exploitation. The bill was heard in the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which is also known as the “kill committee.” On Thursday, the panel lived up to its nickname, killing the bill on an 8-3 party-line vote.
Advocates said they aren’t giving up and promised to be back next year.
More than 50 witnesses packed a state Capitol hearing room, with all but three testifying in favor of the bill. While all were adults, many were survivors who testified they had been sold when they were children. The sellers were often either family members or friends. Several testified they did not know the buyers.