Is prostitution legal in Aurora?
No, prostitution is illegal throughout Colorado including Aurora. Under Colorado Revised Statutes §18-7-201, exchanging sex for money is a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $750 fines for both sex workers and clients. Aurora Police Department’s Vice Unit actively enforces these laws through undercover operations and surveillance in high-activity areas like East Colfax Avenue.
Aurora follows Colorado’s “john school” model where first-time offenders may attend educational programs about exploitation risks. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties including mandatory minimum sentences. Since 2020, Aurora has shifted toward targeting traffickers and buyers rather than vulnerable sellers through initiatives like the Human Trafficking Intervention Project. Legal exceptions only exist for licensed adult film production under strict regulations.
How do Aurora’s laws compare to nearby cities?
Unlike Nevada’s limited legal brothels, all Colorado municipalities prohibit prostitution. Denver’s approach focuses more on diversion programs, while Aurora prioritizes stings near transportation hubs. Both cities impose similar fines, but Aurora more frequently pursues felony charges when minors or trafficking indicators are involved.
What health risks do sex workers face in Aurora?
Street-based sex workers in Aurora face disproportionate STI rates, violence, and addiction issues. Aurora Public Health data shows 38% of local sex workers tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea in 2022 – triple the county average. Needle-sharing contributes to hepatitis C prevalence at 22%, while limited healthcare access increases HIV risks.
Violence remains critical: 68% report physical assault according to Aurora’s 2021 Sex Worker Safety Survey. Economic pressures often force workers into dangerous situations – refusing clients risks income loss while police crackdowns push transactions into isolated areas. The Colorado Health Network provides confidential STI testing and naloxone kits at their Colfax location.
Where can sex workers access medical care confidentially?
Metro Community Provider Network (303-360-6276) offers sliding-scale STI testing without ID requirements. The Aurora Mental Health Center provides trauma counseling specifically for sex trade survivors. Harm reduction vans distribute condoms and fentanyl test strips near motels along I-225 weekly.
How does prostitution impact Aurora neighborhoods?
Concentrated activity zones like the Dayton Street corridor experience 3x higher rates of discarded needles and condoms, increased property theft, and decreased business patronage according to Aurora Economic Development reports. Motels with frequent solicitation complaints see 40% lower occupancy rates.
Residential areas near prostitution hubs report chronic issues: 62% of Tower Road residents cite “solicitors knocking after dark” as primary safety concern in 2023 neighborhood surveys. However, displacement efforts often push activity into adjacent districts without resolving root causes. Community policing initiatives like the Havana Business Improvement District have reduced visible solicitation by 45% through improved lighting and patrols.
Are children affected by local prostitution?
Yes – Aurora Public Schools identified 32 trafficked minors in 2022, mostly recruited through social media. The city’s Youth Violence Prevention Program reports gang-controlled “track” operations increasingly exploit homeless teens near Colfax shelters. Aurora’s Child Advocacy Center offers specialized counseling at (303) 326-6350.
What help exists for leaving prostitution in Aurora?
The Aurora Project (303-863-8708) provides comprehensive exit services: emergency housing at their 12-bed safe house, GED programs, tattoo removal for gang affiliations, and job training partnerships with Anschutz Medical Campus. Their 18-month program shows 73% retention rate among graduates.
Additional resources include:
- Colorado Legal Services: Free expungement clinics for prostitution convictions
- Work Options for Women: Restaurant industry training with guaranteed placements
- Gateway Domestic Violence Services: Crisis intervention for trafficked persons
Notably, Aurora requires no police involvement to access these services – a “no questions” policy encourages engagement. Outreach workers distribute resource cards through needle exchanges and motel partnerships.
What barriers prevent people from exiting?
Key obstacles include criminal records limiting employment (92% of exit program applicants), lack of ID/documents (57%), untreated addiction (68%), and coercive control by traffickers. Aurora’s STAR program addresses these through mobile DMV services, court advocacy, and dedicated rehab beds at Aurora Day Treatment Center.
How has online solicitation changed Aurora’s trade?
Backpage’s 2018 shutdown shifted 80% of Aurora’s sex trade to encrypted apps like Telegram, complicating enforcement. Vice detectives now monitor sites like Skip the Games using decoy accounts, resulting in 142 buyer arrests in 2022. “Sugar baby” arrangements exploiting legal loopholes increased 200% since 2020, particularly near colleges.
Technology changes also enable worker autonomy – 41% of surveyed Aurora escorts now operate independently without pimps using burner phones and bitcoin. However, online exposure increases risks: traffickers use location metadata to target workers, while payment apps create financial trails used in prosecutions.
Do “massage parlors” facilitate prostitution in Aurora?
Unlicensed spas outnumber legal establishments 3:1 in Aurora, with 12 shut down for solicitation since 2021. Common indicators include covered windows, “men only” signs, and cash-only payments. Legitimate therapists display Colorado DORA licenses visible from entryways.
What role does human trafficking play?
FBI data identifies I-70 and I-225 as major trafficking corridors, with Aurora representing 25% of Colorado cases. Traffickers typically recruit vulnerable populations: 63% of local victims are immigrants threatened with deportation, while 29% are foster youth. Latino gangs increasingly control trafficking operations using motels near Peoria Street.
Aurora’s multidisciplinary Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) combines law enforcement with survivor advocates. Their operations emphasize victim-centered approaches – offering services before arrests. Report tips to 720-913-9177 or text “BEFREE” to 233733.
How can residents recognize trafficking situations?
Key indicators include minors appearing malnourished with older “boyfriends,” workers rarely leaving guarded locations, hotel rooms with excessive traffic, and tattoos branding ownership. Aurora residents should note license plates and physical descriptions before calling HTTF – never confront suspected traffickers directly.
What support exists for buyers wanting to stop?
Aurora’s John School diversion program combines legal consequences with behavioral change. First offenders pay $500 for a 8-hour education session covering:
- STI transmission risks
- Trafficking victim trauma
- Relationship repair strategies
- Addiction counseling referrals
Completing the program avoids criminal records – 87% of participants have no rearrests after 3 years. The Colorado Accountability Initiative also offers anonymous support groups at Aurora Central Library weekly.
Are there legal alternatives to prostitution in Aurora?
Yes – licensed escort agencies provide legal companionship services excluding sexual contact. Aurora requires $300/year permits with background checks. Adult film production is legal with permits from the Colorado Department of Labor. Strict zoning prohibits adult businesses within 1,000 feet of schools or residential areas.
