The Annual Reports of the Colorado Human Trafficking Council summarize the work product, discussions and recommendations of the Council.  In addition to this summary, the Annual Reports also provides the data collected by the Council on the incidences of human trafficking in our state and the efforts of law enforcement, prosecutors, child welfare and service providers.

2023 Annual Report

The 2023 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF) is a comprehensive overview of the work of the Council in 2023.

Executive Summary

This section provides an overview of content featured in the 2023 Annual Report. Download the Executive Summary (PDF).

Section 1: Year in Review

This section provides an overview of the activities of the Council and its advisory committees in 2023, and highlights the leadership activities of the Council and the Human Trafficking Team both in Colorado, across the US and with international partners. This section also provides an overview of human trafficking related state legislation that passed as well as the Council's effort to raise awareness about human trafficking during Colorado's Human Trafficking Awareness month in January 2023. Download the Year in Review section (PDF).

Section 2: Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado

This section provides data and analysis for a three-year period (2020-2022) related to federal investigations, state and local law enforcement activities, state judicial cases, service provision by U.S. Office for Victims of Crime funded service providers, data collected by the state’s Division of Child Welfare and Division of Youth Services, and reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Colorado's Human Trafficking Hotline. Download Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado section (PDF).

Section 3: Human Trafficking Training Outcomes

This section displays the implementation of the Council’s training programs, which were delivered through multiple means (in-person, virtually, hybrid and online) across the state by Human Trafficking Team staff and regional volunteer facilitators. In addition, this section highlights the usage of the flagship online training program from 2019-2022, and the launch of the law enforcement online training program.   Download the Human Trafficking Training Outcomes section (PDF).

Section 4: Identifying and Addressing Children and Youth Trafficking  

This section focuses on the work of the Multidisciplinary Team Working Group. The goal of this working group was to develop statewide guidance for professionals working to identify human trafficking of children and youth.  Download the Identifying and Addressing Children and Youth Trafficking section (PDF).

Section 5: Meaningful Survivor Engagement

The Council recommitted to the work of the Survivor Engagement Task Force (SETF) for a third year, and created processes for implementing recommendations made by the task force in 2022 with a focus on filling open positions for, and retention of survivor representatives and improving the experience for all its members. The Council created a method for feedback from Council members, outreach materials for inviting Survivor Leaders to join the Council, developed a mentorship program for new Council members and reviewed policies to create a more transparent and inclusive environment for Council members. This section provides an overview of those recommendations.  Download the Meaningful Survivor Engagement section (PDF).

Section 6: Prevention Strategies for the Education Sector

This section focuses on the work of the Council's Education Task Force. The goal of this task force was to examine the education system in Colorado, including availability of trainings, services, and resources related to victims and survivors of human trafficking. This section includes a three-phase training plan for school staff, including training at conferences, in schools, and through external training partners.  Download the Prevention Strategies for the Education Sector section (PDF). 

2022 Annual Report

The 2022 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF) is a comprehensive overview of the work of the Council in 2022.

Executive Summary

This section provides an overview of content featured in the 2022 Annual Report. Download the Executive Summary (PDF).

Section 1: Year in Review

This section provides an overview of the activities of the Council and its advisory committees in 2022, and highlights the leadership activities of the Council and the DCJ staff both in Colorado, across the US and with international partners.  Download the Year in Review section (PDF).

Section 2: Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado

This section provides data and analysis related to federal investigations, state and local law enforcement activities, state judicial cases, service provision by federally funded service providers, data collected by the state’s Division of Child Welfare and Division of Youth Services, and hotline call data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Colorado's Human Trafficking Hotline. Download Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado section (PDF).

Section 3: Human Trafficking Training Outcomes

This section showcases the impact of the implementation of the Council’s training programs, which were delivered through multiple means (in-person, virtually, hybrid and online) across the state in 2022 by Division of Criminal Justice staff and regional volunteer facilitators. In addition, this section highlights the translation of two of the Council’s training programs into Spanish during 2021. Download the Human Trafficking Training Outcomes section (PDF).

Section 4: This Is Human Trafficking Awareness and Outreach Campaign 

This section discusses the activities of the continued implementation of the Council’s statewide public awareness campaign, This is Human Trafficking. The This Is Human Trafficking campaign launched in the statewide media market in November 2020 after three years of planning and formative research. This section highlights the media and outreach strategy that were implemented during specific timeframes throughout the year. Download the This Is Human Trafficking Awareness and Outreach Campaign section (PDF).

Section 5: Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims

This section provides an overview of phased approach for the the second Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking grant from OVC, Connecting Colorado: Building Effective Anti-Trafficking Systems, which was awarded to CDPS/DCJ in October of 2021. It also provides a summary of the grant activities that has been completed in 2022. Download the Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims section (PDF).

Section 6: Equitable Access for Rural Human Trafficking Victims and Survivors

This section focuses on the work of the Council's Equitable Access Task Force (EATF).  The goal of this task force was to highlight gaps in services for human trafficking victims/survivors in rural communities. This section includes five recommendations developed to address the gaps identified by the EATF that focus on avenues to increase accessibility of services for victims/survivors of human trafficking. Download the Equitable Access for Rural Human Trafficking Victims and Survivors section (PDF).

Section 7: Taking a Deeper Look at Survivor Engagement

The Council established the Survivor Engagement Task Force (SETF) in 2021 to identify promising practices for engaging survivors (human trafficking lived-experience experts) in the Council’s work, including with the various advisory committees of the Council.  The Council elected to have this task force continue in order to establish recommendations that the Council could implement to better engage and platform survivor voices in its work. This section provides an overview of those recommendations. Download the Taking a Deeper Look at Survivor Engagement section (PDF).

Section 8: Policy Changes to Address Human Trafficking

This section highlights the work of the Council's Legislative Task Force. The goal of this task force was to 1) focus on state legislation by reviewing and providing feedback on human trafficking and related legislation proposed during the 2022 General Session, and 2) take a more active role in pursuing legislative action both on past Council recommendations and in formulating new recommendations for the 2023 General Session. Download the Policy Changes to Address Human Trafficking section (PDF). 

2021 Annual Report

The 2021 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF) is a comprehensive overview of the work of the Council in 2021. 

Executive Summary

This section provides an overview of content featured in the Annual Report.  Download the Executive Summary (PDF).

Section 1: Year in Review

The Year in Review section provides an overview of the activities of the Council and its advisory committees in 2021.  This section also provides a summary of human trafficking and human trafficking-related legislation that passed during the 2021 Colorado legislative session. It also summarizes the close-out activities of the Innovate Colorado grant led by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Finally, this section highlights the leadership activities of the Council and its staff both nationally and internationally.  Download the Year in Review section (PDF).

Section 2: Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado

This section provides data and analysis for a three-year period (2018–2020) related to federal investigations, state and local law enforcement activities, state judicial cases, service provision by U.S. Office for Victims of Crime funded service providers, data collected by the state’s Division of Child Welfare and Division of Youth Services, and reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Colorado's Human Trafficking Hotline. Download Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado section (PDF).

Section 3: Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign 

This section discusses the activities of the Public Awareness Working Group (PAWG) and the continued implementation of the Council’s statewide public awareness campaign, This is Human Trafficking. In 2021, the PAWG continued to provide guidance and oversight for the campaign, in conjunction with the campaign’s communications consulting firm, Orange Circle Consulting. The primary activities of the PAWG included: reviewing the mid-campaign evaluation results from phase one, advising on campaign tactics for phase two and providing direction for the content development of two new lived-experience narratives. Visit ThisIsHumanTrafficking.com to learn more about the campaign. Download the Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign section (PDF).

Section 4: Human Trafficking Training Outcomes

This section showcases the impact of the implementation of the Council’s training programs, which were delivered through multiple means (in-person, virtually, hybrid and online) across the state in 2021 by Division of Criminal Justice staff and regional facilitators. In addition, this section highlights the translation of two of the Council’s training programs into Spanish during 2021. Download the Human Trafficking Training Outcomes section (PDF).

Section 5: Taking a Deeper Look at Survivor Engagement

The Council established the Survivor Engagement Task Force (SETF) in 2021 to identify promising practices for engaging survivors (human trafficking lived-experience experts) in the Council’s work, including with the various advisory committees of the Council. This section includes an overview of seven recommendations that the Council could implement to continue highlighting survivor voices in its work. Download the Taking a Deeper Look at Survivor Engagement section (PDF).

Section 6: Intersections of Equitable Access and Human Trafficking 

This section focuses on the work of the Council's Equitable Access Task Force (EATF) formerly the Underserved Populations Task Force.  The goal of this task force was to highlight gaps in services for human trafficking victims/survivors in an effort to increase service provision to all populations. This section includes five recommendations developed by the EATF that focus on avenues to increase the accessibility of services for victims/survivors of human trafficking. Download Intersections of Equitable Access and Human Trafficking (PDF) section.

Section 7: Addressing Barriers Caused by Criminal Records

The Council formed the Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) in 2021 to address barriers to long-term stability created by the criminal records of human trafficking survivors from their trafficking experiences.   This section provides an overview of the recommendations made by the CJTF related to criminal record relief for human trafficking survivors in Colorado. Download the Addressing Barriers Caused by Criminal Records section (PDF).

2020 Annual Report

The 2020 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF) is a comprehensive overview of the work of the Council in 2020. 

Executive Summary

This section provides an overview of content featured in the Annual Report.  Download the Executive Summary (PDF).

Section 1: Year in Review

The Year in Review section provides an overview of the activities of the Council and its advisory committees in 2020.  This section also provides a summary of the many pivots the Council took in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, this section highlights the results of several partnerships of the Council as well as accomplishments that took place in the field during the year. Download the Year in Review section (PDF).

Section 2: Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado

This section provides data and analysis for a three-year period (2017–2019) related to federal investigations, state and local law enforcement activities, state judicial cases, service provision by U.S. Office for Victims of Crime funded service providers, data collected by the state’s child welfare departments, and reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Colorado's Human Trafficking Hotline. Download Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado section (PDF).

Section 3: Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign 

After three years of formative research and planning, the Council launched their statewide public awareness campaign in November 2020. This section outlines the activities accomplished in order to launch the Council's multi-year campaign, including a summary of the formative research that created the foundation of the campaign and a sample of campaign materials created.  Visit ThisIsHumanTrafficking.com to learn more about the campaign. Download the Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign section (PDF).

Section 4: Intersections Between Underserved Populations and Human Trafficking

This section focuses on the work of the Council's Underserved Populations Task Force who examined the intersections of identity/experience and service provision for survivors of human trafficking.  The task force focused on the basic physiological needs that humans require based on the foundation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  With this framework in mind, the Council provides a series of recommendations addressing service provision, housing, cultural and language accessibility of materials, public benefits, and human trafficking training for professionals. Download Intersections Between Underserved Populations and Human Trafficking (PDF) section.

Section 5: Human Trafficking Training Outcomes

This section showcases the impact of the implementation of the Council’s training programs throughout state, as a result of the efforts of Division of Criminal Justice staff and regional facilitators educated through the Council’s Train-the-Trainer program. It provides an overview of the many pivots that took place to adapt to the COVID-19 reality and yet be able to continue to offer high quality training programs to Coloradoans across the state.  Finally, this section highlights the efforts of the Innovate Colorado project, a grant funded partnership between the Council and the Colorado Department of Human Services to build capacity in rural communities to address child/youth trafficking. Download the Human Trafficking Training Outcomes section (PDF).

2019 Annual Report

The 2019 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF) is a comprehensive overview of the work of the Council in 2019.  

Executive Summary

This section provides an overview of content featured in the Annual Report.  Download the Executive Summary (PDF).

Section 1: Year in Review

The Year in Review section provides an overview of the activities of the Council and its advisory committees in 2019.  This section also provides a summary of new legislation passed both at the state and federal levels as well as highlights several major accomplishments that took place in the field during the year. Download the Year in Review (PDF).

Section 2: Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado

This section provides data and analysis for a three-year period (2016–2018) related to federal investigations, state and local law enforcement activities, state judicial cases, service provision by U.S. Office for Victims of Crime funded service providers, data collected by the state’s child welfare departments, and reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking. In addition, this section includes the results of a study of seven service providers from across the state and the Council’s recommendations to address gaps identified in the study. Download Collecting Data on Human Trafficking in Colorado (PDF).

Section 3: Post-Enactment Review of Senate Bill 15-030

The Post-Enactment Review Section responds to the statutory requirement for the Council to conduct a post-enactment review of the use and impact of Senate Bill 15-030. This section provides the results following the implementation of the law. Download the Post-Enactment Review of Senate Bill 15-030 section (PDF).

Section 4: Addressing Labor Trafficking in Colorado 

This section focuses on the research and analysis the Council’s Labor Trafficking Task Force conducted related to gaps in state legislation governing employer-provided housing. These loopholes limit protections for employees and can be a means for employers to compel employees to comply with their demands an exploit their labor.  The Council developed five recommendations to address these gaps. To learn more about this topic and read the Council’s recommendations, visit the Addressing Labor Trafficking in Colorado (PDF) section.

Section 5: Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign 

In 2019, the Council continued its efforts to fulfill its legislative mandate to develop a statewide public awareness and outreach campaign. This section discusses the activities of the Public Awareness Task Force in 2019, including a summary of formative research results, the process and development of the creative concept for the campaign. Download the Public Awareness and Outreach Campaign (PDF) section.

Section 6: Human Trafficking Training Outcomes

This section reviews the new training programs rolled out by the Council in 2019, including an advanced training program for service providers working with victims and survivors of human trafficking (Meeting Human Trafficking Survivors’ Needs: An Advanced Course for Service Providers) and an online version of An Introduction to Human Trafficking in Colorado.  This section also showcases the impact of the implementation of the Council’s training programs throughout state, as a result of the efforts of Division of Criminal Justice staff and regional facilitators educated through the Council’s Train-the-Trainer program. Download the Human Trafficking Training Outcomes section (PDF).

Prior Reports from 2015 to 2018

2015 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Annual Report (PDF)

 

2016 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF)

 

2017 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF)

 

2018 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Report (PDF)