January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and we were pleased to start the year by announcing a $1.42 million federal dollar grant that we will share with the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC). The demonstrated success of our and the Denver Police Department’s Human Trafficking Units was demonstrated by honored with this renewed grant. Our office will use the money to enhance the work of the unit and the work of the Denver Anti-Trafficking Alliance (DATA) in identifying victims of human trafficking as well as along with hiring a new human trafficking investigator. The APDC will use its funding to provide more culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed care for trafficking survivors.
Denver DA Beth McCann
Regarding the grant, United States Attorney Cole Finegan said, “Human trafficking harms some of the most vulnerable members of our community, which is why funding programs like the Denver Anti-Trafficking Alliance Task Force (DATA) with the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the Asian Pacific Development Center is a priority for the Department of Justice.”
We also announced that our Human Trafficking Unit has a new director, Ashley Morgan. Ashley has been an attorney with our office for more than a decade most recently working within our Organized Crime Unit. I am proud that the Denver DA’s Office is a national leader in stopping traffickers by holding traffickers accountable and helping victims access needed services.
During January we also joined with the Colorado Human Trafficking Council to raise awareness about the signs of trafficking. If you believe you may have information about trafficking activity, please contact Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 866.455.5075 or texting 720-999-9724.