Today, Senate Bill 26-097, Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity, was laid over by its sponsors: Senators Nick Hinrichsen (Pueblo) and Lisa Cutter (Jefferson), and Representatives Lorena Garcia (Adams and Jefferson) and Rebekah Stewart (Jefferson), effectively postponing the legislation through the 2026 Legislative Session.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal publicly opposed SB26-097 in a recent op-ed in the Gazette and encouraged Coloradans to stand with him in opposition to the anti-public-safety legislation.
Sheriff Roybal issued the following statement:
“The postponement of Senate Bill 26-097 in committee demonstrates the strength of civic engagement across Colorado. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the many Coloradans who took the time to contact their legislators, voice their concerns, and participate in the American democratic process.
“Public safety policy should never be decided in a vacuum. When citizens speak up, it ensures lawmakers hear directly from the communities they serve. Your willingness to engage on an issue impacting victim protection, community safety, and human dignity helped ensure this proposal received the scrutiny it deserved.
“The voices of residents across our state made it clear that many Coloradans remain deeply concerned about policies that could weaken tools used to identify exploitation, combat human trafficking, and hold offenders accountable. Your outreach reinforced the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and maintaining strong safeguards for our communities.
“I am grateful to everyone who took the time to call, write, or speak with their elected officials. Civic participation is essential to good governance, and your actions helped elevate an important conversation about the future of public safety in Colorado.
“Thank you for standing up for victims, for community safety, and for the principle that human beings should never be treated as commodities.”