Michael Allen, a Republican candidate for Colorado attorney general, has voiced strong opposition to a recent proposal from Democratic lawmakers to legalize prostitution in the state. His reaction was one of shock, particularly concerning the implications it could have for human trafficking. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Allen expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s hard for me to even decipher why they’ve decided this is the time and place to introduce a radical bill like this.” This sentiment reflects a deep unease about the bill and its potential consequences.
The proposal, introduced by Democratic state senators and representatives, aims to “decriminalize adult commercial sexual activity.” Allen argues that this legislation could position Colorado as a national leader in legalized prostitution, far exceeding regulations seen in Nevada. He warns that such a move would “open the floodgates” to criminal actors. Allen contends, “It would not solve any issue that is happening on the ground in Colorado,” mentioning ongoing concerns about the state’s budget and crime rates.
Allen’s appeal to the public highlights a growing frustration with the current Democratic leadership in Colorado. He criticizes his opponents for putting forth this bill, suggesting it is an example of poor judgment that fails to address serious issues within the state. He stated, “It is frankly very appalling to me that we’ve got four members of the left-leaning Democrat legislature who thought it would be a good idea to just open the floodgates and let these criminal actors run free without any repercussions.” This strong language underscores the candidate’s commitment to opposing measures he believes would worsen crime and trafficking.
A notable statistic cited by Allen is that 79 percent of human trafficking crimes in Colorado are for the purposes of commercial sex. This claim is backed by data from the Common Sense Institute, which indicates that Colorado ranks among the states with the highest reports of human trafficking. His reference to the Denver metro area as a “huge hub for human trafficking” underscores the real and pressing nature of these issues. Allen is adamant that legalizing prostitution could exacerbate the already dire situation.
As the conversation around the bill continues, it appears to have stalled in the legislature for the moment. However, Allen views it as indicative of a broader failure among Democrats to address the needs of Colorado residents. He believes that voters are ready for a change, especially after what he describes as “devastatingly bad criminal justice reform” during the past decade of Democratic governance.
In his capacity as a district attorney, Allen proposes that, if elected attorney general, he would utilize the office’s powers to combat human trafficking more effectively. He points to the capability of the attorney general to launch statewide grand juries to investigate and prosecute such crimes. He sees the upcoming midterm election as critical for changing the course of Colorado’s approach to crime and justice.
Ultimately, Allen’s stance on this controversial issue reflects his broader campaign themes of accountability and a firm response to crime in Colorado. As he states, “We need to have a better, stronger, and more effective posture from our Colorado Attorney General’s Office to combat criminal activity that is, frankly, affecting the entire state of Colorado.” His comments serve to highlight the stakes involved in the debate over the legalization of prostitution and its links to broader issues, particularly human trafficking, in the state.
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