El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal thanked Colorado residents on March 11 after the sponsors of Senate Bill 26-097, Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity, decided to postpone the legislation for the remainder of the 2026 Legislative Session.
The bill was laid over by Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Lisa Cutter, along with Representatives Lorena Garcia and Rebekah Stewart. The postponement follows public opposition from Sheriff Roybal, who had recently written an op-ed in the Gazette urging Coloradans to oppose what he called anti-public-safety legislation.
In a statement, Roybal said, “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.”
Roybal also said that public safety policy should not be decided without community input. “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,” he said.
He added that many residents remain concerned about policies that could weaken efforts against exploitation and human trafficking. “Your outreach reinforced the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and maintaining strong safeguards for our communities,” Roybal said.
Roybal concluded by thanking those who contacted 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.”
The decision to postpone SB26-097 highlights ongoing debates around public safety policy and community involvement in legislative decisions.