Colorado lawmakers are advancing a bill that could make the state a national leader in protecting sex workers’ rights—and strengthening the fight against trafficking. If passed, Colorado would become the first state to fully decriminalize sex work state-wide.

Senate Bill 26-097 would remove criminal penalties on both sides of consensual adult exchanges. This is not a small reform. It is a decisive shift away from criminalization and toward safety. When sex work is criminalized, it is forced underground, where abuse and exploitation can go unchecked for both consensual sex workers and those who are coerced or trafficked into sex work.

Decriminalization builds resilience against exploitation

In an article for Complex, journalist Bernadette Giacomazzo reports:

In the bill’s text, lawmakers state that “fear of criminal punishment… encourages physical, emotional, and structural violence against sex workers,” arguing that current laws can push activity into less safe conditions and discourage people from reporting crimes or seeking help.

Supporters of the bill argue that removing penalties for buyers will improve transparency and safety. Without fear of arrest, clients may be more willing to share identifying details. That gives sex workers greater control over who they meet and under what conditions.

Crucially, the bill draws a firm line between consensual sex work and exploitation. It keeps criminal penalties for coercion, intimidation, and trafficking-related crimes. Lawmakers make this distinction clear. According to Giacomazzo, the bill states:

 Decriminalizing consensual sex work for adults enables law enforcement to focus resources on cases involving force, fraud, or coercion.

This approach aligns with growing evidence. Research consistently shows that criminalization increases vulnerability to exploitation. Decriminalization improves access to justice and support services. When workers can report abuse without risking arrest, exploitation becomes harder to hide.

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