Minority House Republicans, accustomed to seeing their signature legislation snuffed out, had no problem Monday persuading their Democratic colleagues to embrace efforts that will protect victims of felony stalking and increase sentences for child sex traffickers.

House Bill 1150, sponsored by Rep. Clarice Navarro, R-Pueblo, passed the House of Representatives unanimously, and House Bill 1172, sponsored by Navarro and Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs, passed 60-3.

As noted in a statement by the House GOP press office:

HB 1150 denies bail between conviction and sentencing for cases involving felony stalking or domestic violence. Current law already denies bail to a person convicted of certain violent crimes, but judges have the discretion to grant bail between conviction and sentencing in cases of felony stalking or domestic violence, which in Colorado can be as much as six to eight weeks.

HB 1172 requires a court to sentence a child sex trafficker convicted of a class 2 felony to at least eight years but up to 24 years, which is the presumptive range for a class 2 felony.

Carver is quoted in the press release:

“Child sex traffickers are some of the most evil criminals our justice system confronts, and no one involved in this deplorable crime should ever receive just probation for their acts. I am pleased to see such strong bipartisan support for establishing mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking children and hope it sends a message that this crime in Colorado will be met with lengthy prison sentences.”