Proposition 133Penalties for Human Trafficking of a Minor
Read the full text of the measure: Blue Book pages 92 to 92 (PDF)
In plain words
Under Colorado law, child sex trafficking is when an adult forces a child, or makes a child available, for sexual activity in exchange for money or something else of value. Proposition 133 would require life in prison without parole (no chance of release) for anyone convicted. It would also make buying sexual activity with a child part of the same crime, so buyers who are convicted would get the same sentence. source: Blue Book, p. 52
Before and after
| Question | Today | If Proposition 133 passes |
|---|---|---|
| How serious a crime is it? | Class 2 felony | Class 1 felony (more serious) |
| Prison sentence | 8 to 48 years | Life |
| Parole (supervised time out of prison) | 5 years required after prison | None; no release on parole |
| Can the judge set the sentence based on the facts of the case? | Yes | No |
| Does buying sexual activity with a child count as this crime? | No | Yes |
From the official analysis source: Blue Book, p. 52
Example
Illustration only: Today a person convicted of child sex trafficking could get anywhere from 8 to 48 years in prison, depending on the facts and the trial, followed by 5 years of parole. Under Proposition 133, that person, and a buyer convicted of the same crime, would stay in prison for life. source: Blue Book, p. 52
Biggest change
- Every conviction for child sex trafficking would bring life in prison without parole. Today the sentence is 8 to 48 years plus 5 years of parole, and the judge decides within that range. source: Blue Book, p. 52
- Buying sexual activity with a child, by giving anything of value, is added to the crime, so convicted buyers would also get life without parole. source: Blue Book, p. 52
Who it affects most: People convicted of child sex trafficking, now including buyers, who would face a required life sentence.
Cost to the state: No added cost for about 14 years, because people would first have been released under today's sentences around then. Prison costs then start at $180,000 in budget year 2041-42 and grow by about that much each year ($360,000 in 2042-43, $540,000 in 2043-44) for several years before leveling off. These amounts are not adjusted for inflation, and the Blue Book says real costs will likely be higher. Courts, state-paid defense lawyers, and county prosecutors would have slightly more work; no amount is given.
Our plain-words summary at an 8th-grade reading level. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Anyone convicted of child sex trafficking, including buyers, gets life in prison without parole.
Child sex trafficking stays a crime with 8 to 48 years in prison plus 5 years of parole, set by the judge.
Our plain-words summary.
The Blue Book's official wording of YES and NO (tap to open)
YES: A “yes” vote on Proposition 133 increases the penalties for child sex trafficking to life in prison without parole, and expands child sex trafficking to include buying sexual activity with a minor.
NO: A “no” vote on Proposition 133 keeps the existing felony criminal penalties for child sex trafficking with a sentencing range of 8 to 48 years in prison plus a mandatory parole period.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Voters put this on the ballot through a citizen petition (a citizen initiative). The Blue Book does not describe a specific event behind it. Current law gives legal defenses to people charged with this crime who are themselves trafficking victims. source: Blue Book, p. 52
Why supporters want it
- Child sex trafficking causes serious and long-lasting harm to victims. Someone who commits this terrible crime deserves a life sentence instead of a shorter prison term or probation. The punishment outlined in the measure is clear, definite, and ensures that offenders cannot hurt more children. With this change, victims will have no doubt that child sex trafficking offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. The measure helps deter people from engaging in child sex trafficking and sends a strong message that Colorado takes these crimes seriously. Proposition 133 makes certain that justice is served, children are protected, and victims are shielded from punishment and further harm. source: Blue Book, p. 52
Why opponents object
- Harsher sentences are unlikely to deter human trafficking, but may instead result in punishing victims. Many victims of child sex trafficking are pressured or forced to commit crimes to help traffickers. Due to the fear of a life sentence, victims may be less likely to report these crimes or cooperate with police. Additionally, a judge would no longer be able to consider the facts of the case when sentencing someone convicted of child sex trafficking. The measure prioritizes punishment over prevention, and redirects resources from other strategies that combat child sex trafficking. Proposition 133 is unlikely to stop child sex trafficking or protect victims. Information about the organizations supporting and opposing this measure is available on the Colorado Secretary of State's website: source: Blue Book, p. 52
Who backs each side
Most totals are through October 4, 2026 (Rocky Mountain Voice, Oct 6); some are as of September 21 (Colorado Politics). Spending grows until Election Day. These figures come from news reports of state campaign finance filings and were not checked line by line against the filings.
- For: Protect Kids Colorado reported about $135,000 through Oct 4, combined across Propositions 133, 134 and 135.
- Against: no dedicated committee found.
Sources: Rocky Mountain Voice, Oct 6, 2026 · Colorado Politics, Sept 25, 2026 · Colorado Secretary of State: committees for and against 2026 measures · TRACER campaign finance search
Supporter and opponent arguments are the official ones printed in the Blue Book, written by the Legislative Council's nonpartisan staff after hearing from both sides. Who is registered for and against (Secretary of State) . We don't endorse either side.
At a glance
Our plain-words summary of the official Blue Book analysis. Every line points to its source.
Who it affects
- People convicted of child sex trafficking. The sentence becomes life in prison without parole, up from 8 to 48 years plus 5 years of parole. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Buyers: exchanging anything of value to buy sexual activity with a minor is added to the crime, so buyers who are convicted also get a life sentence. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Judges, who could no longer choose a sentence based on the facts of the case. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- The state prison system (Department of Corrections), which would house people longer. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- State trial courts, public defenders and county district attorneys, whose workload would increase slightly. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
How many: Unknown. The Blue Book does not give a count of people charged or convicted of child sex trafficking.
Money: economic and budget impact
- State spending: the Blue Book estimates prison costs start in about 14 years, at $180,000 in budget year 2041-42. They rise by about that much each year for several years ($360,000 in 2042-43, $540,000 in 2043-44) and then level off. These amounts are not adjusted for inflation. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- The Blue Book says actual costs will likely be higher due to inflation, and if more people are convicted than under current law. Medical costs for aging prisoners would grow separately. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Costs are assumed to come from the state General Fund, which may leave less for other uses. The largest are Health Care Policy and Financing, Education, and Higher Education. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Courts, public defenders and county district attorneys: workload increases slightly. No dollar estimate is given. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- No new tax and no change in state revenue is listed. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
Child sex trafficking becomes a class 1 felony with a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The crime would also cover buying sexual activity with a minor. This is a change to state law (a statute), so the legislature can amend it.
Current law stays. Child sex trafficking stays a class 2 felony with 8 to 48 years in prison and 5 years of mandatory parole, and judges keep discretion over the sentence. Current legal defenses for people charged who are themselves trafficking victims stay in place.
Not yet known
- How many people are convicted of child sex trafficking each year, and how many more buyers would be covered.
- Costs to courts, public defenders and district attorneys in dollars.
- Whether current legal defenses for trafficking victims who are charged would still apply. The Blue Book does not say.
- When the new penalties take effect.
- Any effect on how often the crime happens. Only the arguments discuss this.
Can it actually be enforced?
Short answer: Mostly yes for adults. State courts and prisons would carry it out. It is a statute the legislature could later change, and the U.S. Constitution forbids mandatory life without parole for anyone under 18.
- This is a change to state statute, not the constitution. The legislature could amend or repeal it later without another statewide vote. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Who carries it out: state prosecutors, courts and the Department of Corrections. Judges would lose discretion: a conviction would mean life without parole. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- Mandatory life without parole for adults has been upheld. In Harmelin v. Michigan (1991) the U.S. Supreme Court said a mandatory life-without-parole sentence for a drug crime did not violate the Eighth Amendment, and that individualized sentencing is not required outside death penalty cases. (supreme.justia.com )
- Limit for minors: in Miller v. Alabama (2012) the Supreme Court held that mandatory life without parole is unconstitutional for people who were under 18 at the time of the crime. The Blue Book notes that child trafficking victims are sometimes pressured to help traffickers. If someone under 18 were convicted under this law, a court could not give them the mandatory life sentence. (supreme.justia.com )
- Costs start later. The Blue Book says added prison costs begin around 2041-42 and names no funding source, so the budget effect falls to future legislatures. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
- A commutation or pardon could still end a life sentence. The Blue Book mentions this as one way life sentences end. (Blue Book, p. 52 )
Not yet known
- Whether the measure's wording reaches people under 18 who are charged, and how a court would handle that.
- Whether lawsuits are planned against Proposition 133.
This is our reading of the cited law, not legal advice. Court outcomes are uncertain.
Official ballot wording
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The ballot title, word for word from the 2026 Blue Book.
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes modifying existing law concerning human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, and, in connection therewith, creating new law expanding human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude to include knowingly trading anything of monetary value to buy or sell sexual activity with a minor and increasing the penalty to be life in prison without parole or release?
The official analysis
The full Blue Book analysis, word for word (tap to open)
Everything in this section is quoted from the nonpartisan Legislative Council's 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet (the Blue Book). Charts are described in words. Read the full Blue Book (PDF)
Proposition 133 proposes amending the Colorado statutes to:
- mandate a sentence of life in prison without parole for child sex trafficking convictions; and
- expand child sex trafficking to include buying sexual activity with a minor.
Summary and Analysis of Proposition 133
What is child sex trafficking?
Under Colorado law, human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, or child sex trafficking, occurs when an adult forces or makes a minor available for commercial sexual activity in exchange for money or other compensation. Child sex trafficking is one of many sex crimes with which a buyer or seller may be charged. Legally, a minor cannot consent to commercial sexual activity. Current law provides legal defenses and protections for individuals charged with this crime who are victims of sex trafficking.
How does Proposition 133 change the crime of child sex trafficking?
Proposition 133 increases the penalty for child sex trafficking to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and removes judicial discretion in sentencing. It also adds exchanging anything of value to buy or sell sexual activity to the list of acts included in child sex trafficking. If convicted of this crime, buyers and sellers will receive a life sentence.
Table 1 outlines the current penalties for those convicted of child sex trafficking and the penalties if Proposition 133 is approved. The table reflects the range of potential penalties under current law, but the actual sentence would depend on the specifics of the crime and the outcome of the trial.
Table 1: Current and Proposed Penalties for Child Sex Trafficking (Blue Book p. 53)
| Policy | Felony Classification | Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Current Law | Class 2 felony | 8 to 48 years in prison and mandatory 5 years parole |
| Proposition 133 | Class 1 felony | Life in prison without parole |
Argument For Proposition 133
1) Child sex trafficking causes serious and long-lasting harm to victims. Someone who commits this terrible crime deserves a life sentence instead of a shorter prison term or probation. The punishment outlined in the measure is clear, definite, and ensures that offenders cannot hurt more children. With this change, victims will have no doubt that child sex trafficking offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. The measure helps deter people from engaging in child sex trafficking and sends a strong message that Colorado takes these crimes seriously. Proposition 133 makes certain that justice is served, children are protected, and victims are shielded from punishment and further harm.
Argument Against Proposition 133
1) Harsher sentences are unlikely to deter human trafficking, but may instead result in punishing victims. Many victims of child sex trafficking are pressured or forced to commit crimes to help traffickers. Due to the fear of a life sentence, victims may be less likely to report these crimes or cooperate with police. Additionally, a judge would no longer be able to consider the facts of the case when sentencing someone convicted of child sex trafficking. The measure prioritizes punishment over prevention, and redirects resources from other strategies that combat child sex trafficking. Proposition 133 is unlikely to stop child sex trafficking or protect victims. Information about the organizations supporting and opposing this measure is available on the Colorado Secretary of State's website:
www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2026.html
Fiscal Impact of Proposition 133
State Spending
The measure increases future state spending in the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). Costs for the measure are estimated to begin in about 14 years. Initial costs are estimated at $180,000 in budget year 2041-42, and grow by that amount for several years thereafter. This would be an increase of $360,000 in budget year 2042-43, $540,000 in budget year 2043-44, and so on. These costs are not
adjusted for inflation. Eventually, the increase will stabilize as the costs of new offenders staying longer are offset by a decrease in costs from life sentences ending due to an offender dying or potentially receiving a commutation or pardon.
The cost increase results from persons convicted of child sex trafficking serving a life sentence instead of a fixed term. It takes years for the first affected offenders to reach the point in their original sentence where they would have been paroled under current law, and that is when the added cost starts. This cost estimate reflects current sentencing data and values for state-run prison beds; actual costs will likely be higher in the future due to inflation, and if more individuals are convicted of child sex trafficking than under current law. Notably, costs for medical care will grow separately as offenders age in prison.
In addition, workload in the trial courts and agencies that provide representation to indigent offenders in the Judicial Department will minimally increase as cases with enhanced penalties generally take longer to process than cases with lesser penalties.
The measure does not specify a funding source to pay for the increased spending in the CDOC and it is assumed that these costs will be paid from the state General Fund. While the measure may reduce money available for other uses (the three largest of which are Health Care Policy and Financing, Education, and Higher Education), the likely effect of the measure on other programs is unknown and will depend on future budgeting decisions by the state legislature.
Local Government Spending
Similar to the state, workload will minimally increase for county-funded district attorneys to prosecute longer cases with enhanced penalties.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
- 2026-10-02 Colorado Politics: Proposition 133
- 2026-10-01 The Colorado Sun: Proposition 133 explained: Colorado voters to decide if child sex trafficking should be punishable by life in prison
- 2026-09-25 CPR News: Proposition 133: Penalties for Human Trafficking of a Minor
- 2026-09-18 Complete Colorado: Colorado voters to decide life sentences for minor sex trafficking
Coverage of all the statewide measures
- 2026-10-06 Rocky Mountain Voice: What's on your 2026 Colorado ballot: all 14 statewide measures
- 2026-09-25 Colorado Politics: Major donors fuel Colorado ballot measure fights across the state
- 2026-09-25 CPR News: 2026 Colorado state ballot measures voter guide
Full text of the measure
This measure changes existing law. The printed Blue Book shows new wording in capital letters and wording being removed in strikeout type, which we can't reproduce reliably here. Read it in the Blue Book, page 92 (PDF) .
Read more
- 2026 Blue Book (PDF) , including the full legal text of the measure
- Colorado Secretary of State: who is registered for and against
- TRACER: Colorado campaign finance filings
What people are saying
Official campaign accounts on each side, and public posts. Links only: nothing here loads from social media sites. We link to posts; we don't endorse them.
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