DENVER — Along what is arguably the most famous street in Denver lies a pervasive crime with a long history in the city. Now, law enforcement is trying out a new kind of operation meant to combat a crime that requires a nuanced approach.

On Aug. 27, the Denver Police Department (DPD) launched its three-part operation meant to curb sex work and sex trafficking on East Colfax. The distinct phases build upon decades of understanding how coercion and exploitation often accompany sex work.

“There's a lot of sex workers that come into Denver that are not doing this because they want to, but because they're either under pimp control or they're being trafficked by a pimp," explained Lieutenant Ryan Harris, who works with the Vice Narcotics Section in DPD. "We really come at it from a victim-cent

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