Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking

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Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking

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The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT) is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Denver Colorado. Join us!

We are informing social change that eliminates human exploitation. Human trafficking is one of the worst human rights abuses in the world – and it happens right here in Colorado. In 2005, our organization formed as a state chapter of the Polaris Project, a nationally recognized anti-human trafficking organization. At the time, anti-trafficking efforts in Colorado were uncoordinated, isolated, and insufficient to address the problem. In 2009, we transitioned to an independent 501(c)3 called the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT) and positioned our organization as a leader in the state’s anti-trafficking movement. In the 12 years since, our programs have become critical to supporting the people and communities impacted by human trafficking, as well as to the coordination of organizations serving survivors and working to eliminate trafficking. We focus our work on research to inform statewide anti-trafficking efforts, training professionals in positions to detect and/or serve survivors of trafficking, education to raise public awareness, oversight of Colorado’s human trafficking hotline, and development of future leaders in human rights fields. Since 2005, we have provided anti-trafficking training to over 40,000 people, conducted three major research projects to drive action and inform policy, managed the statewide 24/7 human trafficking hotline/text line, grown the resource directory of agencies available to intervene in trafficking situations and serve survivors to more than 300 agencies, and supported 180 interns.

10/12/2026

Today is , a day to honor the many Indigenous people who have called Colorado’s lands home for thousands of years: the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Shoshone, and Ute tribes.

Today is also a day to bring awareness to the fact that Indigenous people face an increased vulnerability to human trafficking. They may be targeted by traffickers who believe they will be unable to escape or access resources, unwilling or afraid to seek help from law enforcement, or overlooked by society.

While progress is being made in Colorado through resources like the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, there is still much more work to do. We need more culturally appropriate resources for survivors, outreach and education efforts, meaningful collaboration, and training for law enforcement.

Including Native voices—and following their lead—is critical to making progress in Colorado's anti-trafficking response.

10/09/2026

Indigenous communities, especially in Colorado’s southwest Four Corners region, can be especially vulnerable to human trafficking. That’s largely due to their rural location, a lack of resources and knowledge about the crime, and the absence of legal statutes surrounding trafficking.

“In Indigenous communities, many of the vulnerabilities are systemic and rooted in historical trauma and genocide. Perpetrators target reservations in particular because they know that vulnerability exists, combined with a lack of enforcement and resources.”
–Kara Napolitano, Education and Partnerships Director

Read more about the role LCHT is playing in the fight against exploitation in Colorado’s Indigenous communities: https://combathumantrafficking.org/blog/the-fight-against-exploitation-in-colorados-indigenous-communities/

10/08/2026

Seeking silent auction contributions for our Colorado Gives Day event this December! Can you donate any of these items or experiences?
💝 Signed memorabilia
💝 Vacation stays
💝 Unique experience gifts
💝 Sporting event tickets

If so, please reach out to [email protected]. Your gift will help raise critical funds to support Colorado’s 24/7 Human Trafficking Hotline and other important anti-trafficking responses.

10/07/2026

A common question our team gets: Does trafficking mostly affect women and girls, or are other populations also at risk?

The truth is that people of all genders, all ages, and from all walks of life can be targeted.

Certain populations are especially vulnerable to trafficking, including individuals facing homelessness, substance dependency, poverty, or isolation from their communities.

10/05/2026

This , we honor the educators who help keep our children safe every day. Teachers are a pillar of our communities. And because of their regular interactions with youth—especially those who may be more vulnerable to trafficking—they can also play a major role in the fight to end human trafficking.

They might see a small change in a student’s behavior. They can pick up on possible indicators, such as repeated absences or coming to school exhausted. Or maybe they can see a barrier that a student from a marginalized background faces that makes them more vulnerable to trafficking.

Teachers who’ve taken a training with LCHT are even better equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to know what to do next. Learn more about anti-trafficking training for teachers: https://combathumantrafficking.org/how-to-help/get-trained

10/02/2026

An FAQ our team receives: What should I do if I suspect a human trafficking situation?

Answer: Call or text our 24/7 Human Trafficking Hotline. Our trained Hotline Advocates will talk through your concerns. If it sounds like trafficking, we’ll guide you through next steps to report it to law enforcement.

👉 Call: 866-455-5075
👉 Text: 720-999-9724
👉 Chat with an advocate on our website: https://combathumantrafficking.org/hotline

10/01/2026

A common myth is that all commercial s*x is human trafficking. The truth is it’s more complicated than that.

Legally, all commercial s*x involving minors is considered trafficking. When adults are involved, it’s considered trafficking if the person providing commercial s*x is doing so against his or her will as a result of force, fraud, or coercion.

These distinctions are important to understand. Sign up for text messages to stay in the loop on the latest trafficking news and information: https://combathumantrafficking.org/text

09/30/2026

Ready to help expand the movement to end human trafficking in Colorado?

The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking is the leader of Colorado’s anti-trafficking movement. We’re seeking an experienced Development Director to help build the resources and relationships that will sustain our work for years to come.

This team member will lead a multi-year fundraising strategy spanning major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, monthly giving, and more.

✔️ Salary: $90,000–$108,000 + benefits
✔️ Location: Colorado-based; Denver area strongly preferred
✔️ Applications: Accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled

View the job description and apply today: https://combathumantrafficking.org/jobs/development-director/

Know someone who could be a great fit? Share this opportunity!

09/29/2026

You may have seen headlines ranking Colorado among the “worst” states for human trafficking or statistics about hotline calls, prosecutions, and identified victims. But these numbers don’t tell us the full story. Why?

1️⃣ Many survivors never report their experiences to law enforcement or a hotline. Some might not identify what happened to them as trafficking. Even when reported, only a fraction of cases make their way through the criminal justice system.

2️⃣ An increase in hotline calls or reports doesn’t necessarily mean trafficking is on the rise. It could mean better public awareness, more trained professionals, or stronger reporting systems.

There may never be one concrete number that captures the full scope of human trafficking in Colorado. But instead of just asking, “How many people are being trafficked?” we can ask the questions that will lead us toward action and change.

Find out more on the blog: https://combathumantrafficking.org/blog/how-much-does-human-trafficking-actually-happen-in-colorado/

09/28/2026

FREE GIVEAWAY! Purchase your ticket in September for our Meet the Moment Live Event on Dec. 8, and you’ll be automatically entered to win 4 tickets to the Denver Botanic Gardens! 🌿 You could enjoy this beautiful spot while knowing you’re meeting the moment to end human trafficking in Colorado. Get your early bird tickets today: https://givebutter.com/c/lcht-meet-the-moment

** The winner will be notified on Oct. 1. See giveaway rules: https://forms.gle/5apX2cmHaFg3zauQA

Address

1031 33rd Street Suite #237
Denver, CO
80205

Website

https://combathumantrafficking.org/

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