Initiative would mean prison for life for child trafficking

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(The Center Square) – An initiative requiring a sentence of life in prison for child trafficking has qualified for Colorado’s November ballot, the secretary of state’s office said.

Initiative #108, titled "Penalties for human trafficking of a minor,” would make the human trafficking of a minor for sex a class one felony, rather than a class two felony. If passed by voters, the requirement for life sentences without the possibility of parole would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

“Residents of Colorado and other states and territories throughout the United States have seen an alarming increase in human trafficking, especially human trafficking involving minor children,” the initiative’s text says. “Current penalties in Colorado law with parole possible in as little as eight years have failed to adequately deter the human trafficking of minor children.”

According to the office, supporters of the initiative submitted 169,775 signatures.

“After reviewing a five-percent random sample of the submitted signatures, the Elections Division projected the number of valid signatures to be greater than 110 percent of the total number of signatures required for placement on the ballot,” the office said in a news release on Thursday.

Statewide initiative petitions require at least 124,238 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Protect Kids Colorado, the group behind Initiative #108, says on its website it’s a “coalition protecting kids and strengthening families in Colorado.”

PKC Executive Director Erin Lee said in a news release that thousands of volunteers help with the effort to get the measure on the ballot.

“This moment belongs to the people of Colorado,” she said. “Thousands of volunteers stepped forward across our state including parents, grandparents, faith leaders, students, and concerned citizens because they believe children deserve stronger protection. We are deeply grateful to every volunteer who gave their time to gather signatures and make this possible. Because of them, the voters of Colorado will now have the opportunity to take action to protect children.”

The group is also behind initiatives #109, titled “Male and Female Participation in School Sports,” and #110, titled “Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors.” Signatures for both measures were submitted last month and are currently under review, according to the secretary of state’s website.

Two other measures have made the ballot so far. One would increase penalties for the sale or possession of fentanyl, and the other proposes amending the state constitution to require law enforcement to notify the federal government if an illegal immigrant is charged with a crime in the state.