EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – Detectives from the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office conducted licensing inspections across 18 massage businesses throughout Colorado Springs and El Paso County in July and August, finding five were in full compliance.
The inspections assessed were in compliance with City and State massage licensing laws, police said. The businesses were selected based on community tips and other information indicating they might not be operating as a legitimate massage business.
Of the 18 businesses inspected, police said five were in full compliance, three were operating without a license and 10 were licensed but not in full compliance with licensing requirements.
Police said officers cited 15 misdemeanor violations, including failing to display a license, having an unlicensed massage therapist on the premises and allowing employees to live on the premises.
Police said they will work with the City’s licensing office to bring businesses into compliance or pursue the removal of licenses when appropriate.
Detectives will continue conducting random licensing inspections, police said.
Police said the massage licensing ordinance gives law enforcement an “efficient way” to assess businesses that may display indicators of prostitution, human trafficking or labor trafficking.
Massage businesses are one of many industries in which unlawful commercial sexual activity, human trafficking or labor trafficking may occur, police said.
“CSPD investigates all reports of human trafficking and continues to pursue proactive methods of uncovering crimes that often go unseen or unreported,” police said.
Anyone wanting to report suspected sex or labor trafficking, or any victim seeking assistance, can call CSPD at 719-444-7000. Anonymous reports can be made to Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline at 866-455-5075 by phone or 720-999-9724 by text.
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