For 20 years, the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking has carried a simple belief: when more people understand human trafficking, more people can stop it. That belief has shaped our response to human trafficking, from training volunteer advocates to answer calls and texts on our 24/7 Hotline, to our leadership development program training rising human rights leaders, to research that strengthens statewide systems.
It has also shaped one part of our work that is especially urgent right now: training and education.
Because human trafficking doesn’t always look like a crisis. People who notice it often say they did because they sensed something was not quite right. A nurse senses something is off between a patient and their partner. A teacher notices a student’s sudden drop in attendance. A youth worker sees a teen with new “friends” who seem to control their decisions.
Each of those moments holds an opportunity for safety… but only if the person knows how to identify what they are seeing as a potential situation of exploitation. In too many cases, they don’t.
Survivors go unseen in everyday places
A story we hear again and again begins in an everyday place—a school, a shelter, a doctor’s office. Imagine: a nurse meets a patient who appears fearful and hesitant during a routine visit. She often glances towards her companion before answering questions. The nurse senses something is off. But without the right training, she doesn’t know what’s really happening or what to do.
This scenario mirrors what countless well-meaning professionals across Colorado have told us. Executive Director Amanda Finger says, “Too often, survivors interact with people who want to help but aren’t yet equipped to recognize exploitation when it’s right in front of them.”
More than 80% of survivors visit a healthcare setting while they are being trafficked. Survivors often go unseen, interacting with many professionals before ever getting help. The gap between noticing something is off and knowing what to do is where our Training and Education program comes into play.
Every professional trained is another point of safety
Over the past 20 years, LCHT has trained more than 85,000 people across the state. They are educators, case managers, first responders, healthcare providers, and criminal justice professionals. Demand continues to grow, with more than 10,000 people trained in 2025 alone.
Human trafficking thrives in silence, when people feel alone, unsupported, and unsure of where to turn. But training breaks that silence. It gives professionals the tools and confidence to identify situations of sex and labor exploitation in their everyday work.
LCHT training sessions or series teach participants how to have conversations safely and compassionately. They learn what questions to ask—and when not to push someone to answer them. Each training is customized based on the sector and region of Colorado. Participants learn how to connect survivors to safety in their area and prevent harm before it escalates.
Kristina Wilburn, Associate Manager of Training and Education, says, “With the right knowledge, a professional can connect a survivor to safety. Every trained professional is another chance to stop trafficking.” They become a new point of protection, another chance for a survivor to be seen and believed.
Giving youth the language to name their experiences
Right now, one of the groups that needs anti-trafficking training most is youth. Kara Napolitano, Education and Partnerships Director, says, “In 100% of youth presentations, we have had multiple disclosures of violence, some of which has been trafficking (both labor and sex).” We listen to the youth and get them the immediate help they need. We also report these cases to the appropriate authorities.
Young people who lack supportive adults or stable environments are especially vulnerable to exploitation. About one third of human trafficking survivors globally is a child. Youth who don’t live with legal guardians, are undocumented, are incarcerated, identify as LGBTQIA+, or are experiencing homelessness face an even higher risk.
Many young people who have experienced exploitation aren’t able to identify what they have been through as such. Kara continues, “We are giving these young people language to put to their lived experiences. We hope this will help them on their healing journey.”
Due to misinformation and stereotypes, human trafficking doesn’t always look like what people imagine. It often begins with something that seems harmless: a new online connection, a promise of money or affection, a request for photos, or a person building trust.
Kristina shares, “Training is important for youth to increase their awareness by knowing more than just ‘What is human trafficking?’ They learn who the traffickers are, how to decrease the likelihood of being exploited by knowing traffickers’ recruitment strategies, indicators that someone they care about may be a victim, and how to have informative conversations with friends and family about this crime.”
When youth and the adults around them—teachers, counselors, and coaches—are trained to spot early warning signs, the outcomes change. That’s why youth prevention training is essential.
What youth prevention looks like in Colorado
Hear from a few partners, trainees, and colleagues about why youth prevention matters and what it looks like in their communities. Each offers a window into what’s possible when we invest in early intervention and trauma-informed training.
These voices tell a bigger story: we are stronger together. Knowledge makes prevention possible. When we all carry the work to end human trafficking together, we create a safer Colorado for all. Training ripples outward, from each professional to every person they serve.
Say “yes” to every training request
Requests for LCHT’s anti-trafficking training continue to grow, and the demand is outpacing our team’s capacity. Communities are asking for help. Schools need guidance. Hospitals want to protect patients. Youth programs want to keep kids safe.
We want to say “yes” to every training request. But we can’t do it without you. Make a gift to our Carry the Work campaign to prepare more Coloradans for the next time they encounter exploitation. Be the reason that another trained professional stops trafficking and ensures no survivor is left unseen. The fight is heavy—but together, we can carry it.