Arapahoe County proclaims January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month

The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 27 to approve a proclamation designating January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.

The proclamation, moved by Commissioner Fields and seconded by Commissioner Warren Gully, recognizes human trafficking as a pervasive, often hidden crime and calls for county residents to learn about signs of exploitation and support victim services. Commissioner Campbell read the proclamation aloud before the board approved it without opposition.

The vote was followed by a presentation from Deputy District Attorney Rhonda Hahn of the 18th Judicial District, who described the office’s trafficking caseload and the district’s multi‑jurisdictional task force. Hahn said the office has filed more than 200 trafficking‑related felony cases since 2015 and reported 13 new human trafficking cases filed between Jan. 1, 2025 and Jan. 2, 2026. "Human trafficking is the most profitable, illegal industry in the United States," Hahn said, and she outlined the task force’s victim‑centered approach and cross‑jurisdiction cooperation.

Sheriff Tyler Brown told commissioners the proclamation matters because trafficking "is modern day slavery" that thrives where "silence, fear, and exploitation are allowed to exist." He emphasized that prevention requires partnerships among law enforcement, service providers, schools and the public and said victims should not be treated as criminals.

Commissioners echoed those themes in their remarks. Commissioner Fields thanked the district attorney’s and sheriff’s offices and highlighted that trafficking can include labor exploitation in agriculture, food processing and caregiving. Commissioner Baker called attention to secondary trauma experienced by service providers and encouraged fostering and other supports for vulnerable youth.

The proclamation directs county offices and residents to increase awareness and to partner on prevention and response; the board took a photograph of participants after the item and proceeded to the consent agenda. There were no separate motions or follow‑up votes tied to the proclamation during the meeting.

Provenance: Item introduced and voted on during the Jan. 27, 2026 business meeting; presentation and remarks by Rhonda Hahn and Sheriff Tyler Brown followed the proclamation.