Bipartisan Colorado Bill Targets Tougher Prison Time for Child Trafficking Predators

By: Marianne Goodland | The Denver Gazette

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 get probation, not real prison or jail time, according to the bill’s backers.

At a news conference attended by dozens of law enforcement officials, district attorneys and victim advocates, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason pointed out that Colorado is in the top 10 states for human trafficking.

The measure goes after people who pay for kids for sexual gratification, Mason said.

Under the measure, those who buy children for commercial sexual exploitation will face a Class 3 felony, with no chance of probation. Currently, statutes set the penalties as a Class 4 felony, with probation a possibility.

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