Aurora’s human trafficking unit may be small, but it is suddenly very hard to overlook. The three-person team was honored last month at a Denver-area awards event after investigators said their survivor-first approach helped identify victims and push complex, cross-jurisdiction cases into court. The recognition caps months of patient, trauma-informed work that often starts online and demands tight coordination with other agencies.
According to a post from the Aurora Police Department, the unit, made up of two detectives and a supervising sergeant, has been involved in 11 cases, filed charges against eight suspects, and identified and removed 15 victims. Officials cited those figures while accepting honors from From Silenced to Saved and the FBI Denver Field Office. The department said the awards recognized both individual investigators and the unit’s survivor-centered approach to lengthy, technical investigations. Not bad for a three-person crew.
High-Profile Case That Helped Seal The Win
In its announcement, the department pointed to a multi-state investigation that began in February 2025 and eventually led to the May arrest of Avian Mayo after a New Braunfels police pursuit in Comal County, Texas. Aurora said Mayo was being held on an Aurora warrant and allegedly continued to facilitate trafficking through recorded jail calls to alleged accomplices. “The Mayo case demonstrates the difficulty of detecting and investigating these crimes but strengthens their resolve,” Investigations Division Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand said in a post from the Aurora Police Department. Detective Adam Hughes was among those singled out at the ceremony for the unit’s survivor-focused work.
Small Team, Big Partnerships
Aurora says the human trafficking unit works closely with its Internet Crimes Against Children team and the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force to track online recruitment and handle digital evidence, and it leans on federal partners when cases cross state lines. That kind of collaborative, tech-driven approach lines up with broader reporting on trafficking trends in the Denver metro, as per Hoodline, where investigators increasingly flag online outreach and interagency task forces as essential tools.
Legal Stakes And The Road Ahead
The department said cases tied to the investigation led to charges in Adams District Court on Aug. 28, 2025, against multiple suspects, who now face state statutes that treat trafficking and related offenses as serious crimes. Under Colorado law, human trafficking for sexual servitude and related offenses such as pimping are codified in state statutes and carry felony penalties. For statutory language and definitions, see Colorado statutes.
Where To Report Concerns
Aurora officials also underscored the need for the public to report tips and for survivors to connect with services. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and national helplines maintain 24/7 resources for reporting and survivor support. For help or to report suspected trafficking, Colorado resources are listed at cbi.colorado.gov, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available through humantraffickinghotline.org.
