Arapahoe County proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month; DA, human services and sheriff describe local response

The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 28 unanimously adopted a proclamation designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and received briefings from county human services staff, the 18th Judicial District District Attorney’s Office and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office about local anti‑trafficking work.

The proclamation — introduced and adopted during the meeting — says human trafficking is “a serious and pervasive crime” and urges citizens to report suspicious activity and support local organizations that serve survivors. The board voted to adopt the proclamation without recorded opposition.

Kellen Kaye, child protection intake supervisor with Arapahoe County Human Services, described the department’s role in identification and response. Kaye said the county has “specialized staff who are highly trained to work these cases” and that the county participates in multidisciplinary responses with the FBI task force, local law enforcement, the DA’s office and other partners. She told the board that children at heightened risk often include runaways, homeless youth and those with unstable family situations, and directed people with concerns to the county child abuse and neglect hotline at 303‑636‑1750.

District Attorney Amy Patton and Jacob Kremin, chief deputy district attorney who prosecutes human trafficking cases for the 18th Judicial District, described prosecution and prevention work. Patton said human trafficking remains a major criminal market and cited several statistics during her remarks, including that the “average age of entry into human trafficking is just 13 years old,” and that victims face high rates of violence while trafficked. Kremin said the office has shifted toward a proactive, multidisciplinary model to screen high‑risk youth and coordinate with human services, hospitals, schools, forensic interviewers and federal partners.

Captain Travis Stewart of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office emphasized law enforcement coordination with the FBI’s child exploitation and human trafficking task force and encouraged the public to report concerns regardless of whether an incident initially appears to be in Arapahoe County. “I will take the information regardless of jurisdiction, and I will pass that on to our partners at the FBI,” he said.

Commissioners praised the county’s cross‑agency approach. Commissioner Campbell noted state laws that require county involvement in child welfare screening and warned that federal funding changes could affect local programs; Commissioner Warren Gully and Commissioner Fields thanked the DA’s office, human services and the sheriff’s office for their work.

Votes at a glance

- Proclamation establishing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month: motion made by Commissioner Keri Wingali, seconded by Commissioner Campbell; outcome: approved (all present commissioners recorded “aye”).

- Agenda adoption (procedural): motion made by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Commissioner Warren Gully; outcome: approved (all present commissioners recorded “aye”).

- Consent agenda (25 items): motion made by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Commissioner Warren Gully; outcome: approved (all present commissioners recorded “aye”).

Why it matters

County staff and prosecutors said the county acts as both a responder and connector — identifying at‑risk children through welfare and school contacts, coordinating forensic and medical services, and partnering with state and federal law enforcement for cross‑jurisdictional investigations. Commissioners and presenters highlighted the county’s multidisciplinary task force approach as central to local efforts to find victims, provide trauma‑informed services and pursue prosecutions.

Local resources and next steps

Kaye asked anyone worried about a child to contact Arapahoe County’s child abuse and neglect hotline at 303‑636‑1750; Stewart said the sheriff’s office will accept tips and route them to the FBI task force when appropriate. Commissioners also urged community partners to continue outreach, foster and adoptive parent recruitment, and public education.

Provenance and evidence

First related remark in the transcript: "Again, we encourage you to email us at commissioners@arapogov.com if we weren't able to hear your comments today. Today, we have a proclamation establishing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month." (transcript block starting at 454.55).

Last related remark in the transcript: "That's all I have for you." (transcript block starting at 2108.9548).