What is the legal status of prostitution in Aurora?

Prostitution is illegal throughout Colorado, including Aurora. Colorado Revised Statutes classify prostitution as a misdemeanor offense, with penalties including fines up to $1,000 and potential jail time up to 6 months for first offenses. Solicitation (“patronizing a prostitute”) carries identical penalties under state law.

How do Aurora’s specific ordinances address prostitution?

Aurora Municipal Code enhances state laws with local provisions targeting street-based solicitation. The city employs “john schools” – diversion programs requiring offenders to attend educational sessions about the harms of prostitution. Law enforcement also uses public nuisance ordinances to target known prostitution areas like Colfax Avenue corridors and motels near I-225.

What are the consequences of multiple prostitution convictions?

Repeat offenders face escalating penalties: third convictions become class 5 felonies with 1-3 year prison sentences. Colorado’s mandatory HIV testing law applies following conviction, and those convicted must register as sex offenders if the act involved minors or human trafficking elements.

Where does prostitution typically occur in Aurora?

Street-based prostitution primarily occurs along East Colfax Avenue between Peoria Street and Airport Boulevard, particularly near budget motels. Online solicitation via platforms like Skip the Games and Listcrawler accounts for approximately 70% of prostitution activity according to Aurora PD vice unit data.

What areas of Aurora have the highest prostitution activity?

The “Motel Row” along Colfax near Dayton Street sees significant street-based activity, while online arrangements often meet at short-stay hotels near Denver International Airport. Industrial zones in northwest Aurora report occasional street solicitation during night hours, though increased police patrols have displaced some activity to adjacent municipalities.

What health risks do sex workers in Aurora face?

Sex workers face disproportionate health challenges including STI exposure, substance dependency, and violence. Aurora’s HIV rate among sex workers is 3x the county average according to Tri-County Health Department reports. Limited healthcare access exacerbates these issues, with only 28% receiving regular STI testing.

Where can Aurora sex workers access healthcare services?

The Aurora Health Access Center provides free STI testing and anonymous treatment. Mile High Behavioral Healthcare offers integrated services including mental health support and addiction treatment specifically for sex workers. The Harm Reduction Action Center distributes naloxone kits and provides wound care near known solicitation areas.

How dangerous is prostitution work in Aurora?

Violence remains a critical concern, with Aurora police documenting 47 assaults against sex workers in 2022. Workers face risks including robbery, rape, and client violence, compounded by reluctance to report crimes due to legal status fears. Street-based workers experience violence at twice the rate of those working indoors according to local outreach organizations.

What safety resources exist for Aurora sex workers?

The Aurora Safety Collaborative distributes panic buttons that alert designated contacts when activated. The Colorado Health Network maintains a “bad date list” documenting dangerous clients, accessible through their mobile outreach van. Workers can report violence anonymously through the Phoenix Rising Project’s encrypted platform without police involvement.

How does Aurora law enforcement approach prostitution?

Aurora PD’s VICE unit conducts monthly sting operations focusing on demand reduction. Recent strategy shifts prioritize trafficking investigations over individual solicitation charges, with undercover operations now accounting for 60% of prostitution-related arrests. The department collaborates with the Colorado Human Trafficking Council on joint operations.

What should someone do if arrested for prostitution in Aurora?

Immediately invoke the right to remain silent and request an attorney through the Colorado Public Defender’s Office. Document arresting officers’ names and badge numbers. Avoid discussing case details with cellmates – all jail calls are recorded. The Colorado Legal Services offers free consultations for prostitution-related charges.

What human trafficking connections exist in Aurora’s sex trade?

Aurora’s proximity to Denver International Airport makes it a trafficking hub. The Colorado Human Trafficking Hotline received 87 Aurora-specific tips in 2023. Traffickers frequently exploit vulnerable populations, with motels along I-70 corridor identified as common venues according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation reports.

How can Aurora residents recognize potential sex trafficking situations?

Indicators include minors appearing with much older “boyfriends,” individuals lacking control over identification documents, or workers showing signs of physical abuse. The Aurora Task Force on Human Trafficking trains hotel staff to spot trafficking indicators like frequent room visitors or payment with prepaid cards.

What resources help people exit prostitution in Aurora?

The Haven Transition Program provides housing, counseling, and job training with a 12-month intensive program. Colorado Works Initiative offers vocational training specifically for former sex workers, while the Empowerment Program assists with GED completion and legal advocacy. Aurora Mental Health Center provides trauma-informed therapy at sliding-scale fees.

Are there specialized services for minors involved in Aurora prostitution?

The Anchor Center for Trafficked Youth operates Aurora’s only dedicated shelter for commercially exploited minors, offering 24/7 crisis care and long-term rehabilitation. Jefferson County’s Project PAVE extends counseling services to Aurora youth through telehealth partnerships. Colorado’s Safe Harbor Law ensures minors aren’t prosecuted for prostitution-related offenses.

How does Aurora address the demand side of prostitution?

Aurora’s “John School” diversion program requires solicitation offenders to attend an 8-hour educational session about prostitution’s harms, with a 92% non-recidivism rate. The city publishes names of convicted solicitors in public police bulletins. Aurora PD’s “Buyer Beware” initiative places decoy ads online to intercept potential buyers before solicitation occurs.

What community organizations support Aurora sex workers?

The Aurora-based Red Light Resources Outreach provides mobile crisis intervention and survival supplies. The Center on Colfax offers LGBTQ-specific support through its Sex Worker Solidarity Network. Ecumenical Refugee and Immigration Services assists immigrant sex workers with legal status challenges and cultural transition programs.

How has online technology changed Aurora’s sex trade?

Online platforms have shifted approximately 70% of Aurora’s prostitution activity indoors according to law enforcement estimates. This transition reduces street-level visibility but creates new risks like digital exploitation and financial scams. The Aurora Cyber Crimes Unit monitors trafficking-related online activity through the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.