Adams County’s newly formed Human Trafficking Unit is stepping into the TV spotlight, with deputies set to appear on Univision this afternoon to lay out how they plan to track trafficking networks and push for more community reporting. The unit, announced earlier this month, is designed to give detectives a focused tool to go after prostitution, exploitation, and labor trafficking in unincorporated Adams County. Officials say the outreach aims squarely at Spanish-speaking residents, making it easier for survivors and neighbors to share information with investigators. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with tips to use a dedicated hotline or its online tip form.
The unit was formally announced in early January and will be staffed by two full-time detectives working with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office after county commissioners approved funding, the county said. As reported by Colorado Politics, Sheriff Gene Claps said trafficking "impacts many lives," and that even a single victim is too many. Prosecutors told reporters the new team is intended to line up investigative work with victim services so cases arrive in court ready for prosecution.
What the unit will do
Detectives will investigate signs of both labor and sex trafficking, look into prostitution and exploitation, and enforce county regulations tied to massage businesses, officials said. The team plans to actively monitor social-media ads, hotels, short-term rentals, and massage facilities for indicators of exploitation, with an emphasis on disrupting larger trafficking networks rather than just making one-off arrests. Those priorities were laid out in local coverage of the rollout by The Denver Gazette.
How to report tips
The sheriff’s office has set up a dedicated human-trafficking tipline at (303) 655-3611, along with an online reporting form for detailed tips, including locations, descriptions, and vehicle information. The department’s Detectives Division webpage explains what information is most useful and notes that tipsters may stay anonymous if they choose. See the Adams County Sheriff’s Detectives Division for guidance. To send information electronically, use the Adams County Sheriff’s Tip Portal.
Why this matters
Officials say the unit is part of a broader push during Human Trafficking Prevention Month to get more eyes on trafficking activity. The National Human Trafficking Hotline recorded 318 victims in Colorado in 2024, according to the hotline’s state statistics. As reported by Colorado Politics, District Attorney Brian Mason has pointed to Adams County’s three major highways as a key vulnerability and said prosecutors will coordinate closely with detectives on cases coming out of the new unit.
TV push aims to reach Spanish-speaking residents
The sheriff’s recent social media post urged Spanish-speaking viewers to "tune in this afternoon" to Univision, with details available from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The broadcast is intended to raise awareness and to steer victims and witnesses toward both resources and investigators. Officials say anyone facing an immediate safety risk should call 911. For non-emergencies related to suspected trafficking, residents are encouraged to call the human-trafficking tipline or use the online report to share what they know.
