Bill Would Have Imposed Minimum Sentences for Child Sex Crimes
Democratic congressional candidate Manny Rutinel of Colorado helped block legislation in 2024 that would have mandated prison time for adults convicted of crimes involving child prostitutes. The bill, which died in the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, proposed four-year sentences for class-three felonies like solicitation and eight-year terms for class-two felonies such as coercing minors into prostitution.
Rutinel, who represents Colorado's Eighth Congressional District in the state legislature, joined fellow Democrats in opposing the measure. Critics argue the vote undermines efforts to protect children. "Without this bill, adults who buy or rent child prostitutes face penalties that often result in little or no incarceration," The Gazette Editorial Board wrote, accusing Democrats of "rolling out a welcome mat for perverts."
Criticism Over Other Criminal Justice Votes
One month after the committee vote, Daniel Goodfield of Commerce City, Rutinel's hometown, avoided jail time after pleading guilty to soliciting child prostitution and cybercrime. Prosecutors said Goodfield, who believed he was negotiating with underage girls online, was arrested when he arrived at a hotel to meet individuals he thought were 14-year-old prostitutes. He received probation and a deferred sentence.
John Kellner, district attorney for Colorado's 18th Judicial District, noted minors rescued from prostitution average 13 years old. More than 50 witnesses, including survivors of child sex trafficking, testified in support of the failed bill.
Rutinel later co-sponsored SB26-015, a revised version of the legislation that passed this year. The new law removed mandatory minimums, instead encouraging courts to impose four-year sentences and requiring one year of probation when used. Rutinel defended his record in a statement, saying, "No parent should ever fear their child's safety. That's why I co-sponsored and passed the improved, bipartisan SB26-015 to hold predators accountable."
His 2024 votes also included supporting a law allowing prosecutors to drop charges if defendants are deemed unlikely to gain competency for trial. In April 2025, Debisa Ephraim, who had a history of violent offenses, was released after being deemed incompetent. Video showed him assaulting two men in separate incidents.
Rutinel additionally backed $12 million in taxpayer funding for prisoners' gender-affirming care, including sex-change surgeries, over two years. He also supported a bill requiring courts to consider preferred pronouns in custody cases, though that language was removed before passage.