Human trafficking happens in Colorado. This January, we’re raising awareness about human trafficking and sharing resources to help victims of this crime.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month which aims to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime.
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a severe form of exploitation of another person involving force, fraud, or coercion for labor or sex. There are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people — adults and children — subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in Colorado.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services, “Labor traffickers often prey on those with vulnerable life circumstances and economic hardships, using violence, threats, lies, and other forms of coercion to force people to work for less than initially promised—with illegal deductions, wage theft, or entirely against their will” affecting persons of all races, genders, and nationalities.
Labor Trafficking and Wage Theft
The Boulder County District Attorney’s office sees labor trafficking, the most common form of human trafficking in Colorado, all too frequently. Labor trafficking has been defined by the National Human Trafficking Hotline as a form of modern-day slavery where individuals are forced to provide labor or services by force, fraud or coercion. Learn more on the county’s website.
The most common industries of the workforce where labor trafficking is seen are agricultural, domestic services, hospitality, food and beverage, manufacturing, sales crews, and construction. Victims are often forced to work under unsafe conditions, have wages withheld, or are threatened if they attempt to leave their employment.
In Boulder, an ordinance exists to protect workers from non-payment of wages owed to them. If you have been impacted by a failure to pay wages, you can submit a complaint through the city’s Office of Human Rights. Learn more on the city’s website.
Community Resources
- Human trafficking can affect anyone. You can learn more about the signs and how to see what is being done to combat this horrible crime via the Lab for Combating Human Trafficking website.
Reclaiming Hope has mentoring and survivor programs to help victims and survivors recovering from human trafficking.
Covered Colorado also has counseling and community connections depending on your lived experience and getting involved in fighting this crime.
Get Help
Contact the Colorado Human Trafficking Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 866-455-5075 or by text message at 720-999-9724.
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-373-7888.