Beginning in September, Colorado Springs will regulate massage businesses by requiring them to have a license. Police say there are currently around 30 illegal massage businesses in Colorado Springs actively selling sex for money and trafficking women.
Former Metro Vice Unit Commander Scott Whittington told 13 Investigates it takes his team hundreds of hours to build a case against just one massage parlor. Since 13 Investigates started its ongoing investigation into the world of illicit spas three years ago, pimps have been convicted and elected leaders have taken action. A new ordinance passed Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to take full effect on September 1, At the same time, the ordinance outlaws sexual activities in the spas, advertisements for sex, and bars employees from living inside a business.
The Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office sent out nearly 3, letters informing businesses offering massage services of the new law. However, the city clerk's office says there is a large portion of businesses that received a mailer that aren't eligible for the new massage business license.
A majority of the businesses either left their doors locked or said employees told our investigators they physically couldn't speak English. For New Asian Massage, located in a strip mall off Platte Avenue, a Rubmaps review posted on June 5, , began by describing a sexual encounter with a female employee at the spa in detail. The customer in the review says he would return to the business, but doesn't believe the business will remain open long.
However, the employee said she did not know. The new Metro Vice Commander says if a massage business, that isn't exempted, doesn't possess a license on September 2, , then officers could issue a summons, which could lead to a fine. Should a business refuse to comply with a summons or pay a citation, the City of Colorado Springs says the business could be issued a new criminal citation each subsequent day from the city. The city could also look to pursue other actions, like a public nuisance citation, or other civil actions.
