Work is work! Colorado Democrats Introduce Bill to Fully Decriminalize Prostitution
A new bill from Democratic state lawmakers pushes for regulation instead of criminalization to address sex work. Flickr/Bruce Baker
Lawmakers in Colorado have introduced legislation that would decriminalize prostitution statewide, removing criminal penalties for both buying and selling sex between consenting adults.
If approved, Senate Bill 26-097 would make Colorado the first U.S. state to eliminate criminal offenses related to consensual commercial sex entirely. The proposal would repeal existing state crimes including prostitution, solicitation, patronizing a prostitute, maintaining a place of prostitution, and certain pandering offenses tied to arranging sex work.
According to the official legislative summary, the measure would decriminalize “commercial sexual activity among consenting adults” and prohibit local governments from enacting their own bans. Cities and counties would be barred from criminalizing prostitution even if local officials or voters opposed it.
The bill’s lead sponsors are State Sens. Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) and Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County), along with Reps. Lorena Garcia (D-Adams County) and Rebekah Stewart (D-Lakewood).
Supporters argue that criminalization increases risks for people engaged in consensual sex work by discouraging them from reporting crimes or seeking medical care. The bill states that fear of prosecution can expose sex workers to violence, exploitation, and other harms, and that removing penalties would allow individuals to screen clients more effectively because customers would no longer be participating in illegal activity.
The proposal also distinguishes consensual sex work from human trafficking. Backers say decriminalization would enable law enforcement to concentrate resources on cases involving force, fraud, or coercion rather than consensual transactions that often occur across multiple jurisdictions.
As reported by KDVR, the legislation notes that online sex-work transactions frequently span local boundaries and that consistent statewide policy would provide clarity for adults engaged in the activity.
While Nevada permits regulated brothels in certain counties, no state has fully decriminalized prostitution statewide. Maine has removed criminal penalties for selling sex but still prohibits purchasing it; the Colorado proposal would eliminate penalties for both parties in consensual transactions.
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