Colorado Sex Offender Laws: 2024 Registration & Restrictions

Is Colorado Hard on Sex Offenders?

Individuals found guilty of such offenses often face stringent penalties, which can include imprisonment, substantial fines, and compulsory inclusion in Colorado’s Sex Offender Registry.

According to the Colorado Court Records, Colorado sex offenses are seen and handled differently because they threaten public decency and morals. The Colorado Sex Offender Laws are among the most strict in the United States [1].

The repercussions of a conviction extend beyond immediate legal penalties. Convicted individuals may experience a loss of certain civil rights and face substantial hurdles in securing employment, finding housing, and accessing social opportunities.

Additionally, Colorado does not offer provisions for expunging or sealing records of sexual offenses, meaning the consequences of a conviction can affect an individual for a lifetime, permanently altering their social and professional landscape.

Also Read: Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders

Who is Required to Register as a Sex Offender in Colorado?

Individuals, both adults and juveniles, are mandated to register as sex offenders under the following conditions:

• Sex Offenses in Colorado: Any individual convicted of a sex offense in Colorado on or after July 1, 1991. This includes any conviction under C.R.S. 18-3-411(1) for unlawful sexual behavior, C.R.S. 18-3-305 for enticement of a child, and C.R.S. 18-3-306 for internet luring of a child.
• Out-of-State Sex Offense Convictions: Any person convicted in another state or jurisdiction (including military or federal jurisdictions) on or after July 1, 1991, of an offense that would be considered unlawful sexual behavior, enticement of a child, or internet luring of a child under Colorado law.
• Release from Incarceration: Any individual released from the Department of Corrections (DOC) in Colorado or another state on or after July 1, 1991, after serving a sentence for offenses like unlawful sexual behavior, enticement of a child, or internet luring of a child.
• Convictions or Deferred Judgments Involving Sexual Behavior: Any person convicted or who has received a deferred sentence in Colorado or any other state for an offense involving unlawful sexual behavior, as well as criminal attempts, conspiracy, or solicitation, particularly if the underlying factual basis of the offense includes sexual behavior.

Registration Requirements: The Registrant Must Use ALL Of Their Known Names and re-register whenever legally changing their name. Again Colorado Sex offenders must register under all names they have ever used.

These registration requirements are designed to maintain community safety and ensure the monitoring of individuals with convictions for sexual offenses.

What if You Fail to Register as a Sex Offender in Colorado?

According to the SCLG, in Colorado, not registering as a sex offender when required is considered a serious offense. If the original sex offense was a felony, failure to register constitutes a class 6 felony [2].

The consequences of this include:

• A prison sentence of one to one and a half years in Colorado State Prison,
• Fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.

For those who re-offend, the charge escalates to a class 5 felony, which carries:

• A prison term of one to three years,
• Fines between $1,000 and $100,000.

On the other hand, if the initial conviction was for a misdemeanor sex offense, failure to register is treated as an extraordinary risk class 1 misdemeanor, with potential penalties including:

• Six to eighteen months in jail,
• Fines up to $1,000.

Convictions for failing to register will also be noted on your registry profile page.

Sexual Violence Statistics

• The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reveals that approximately one in three women and one in six men have experienced some form of contact sexual violence, which includes rape, sexual coercion, and unwanted sexual contact.
• Studies further show that one in five women and one in 71 men are likely to experience rape at some stage in their lives. Notably, 47% of women who experience rape are assaulted by current or former intimate partners.
• According to the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study, 21% of female students and 7% of male students reported experiencing sexual assault since starting college.
• The Bureau of Justice Statistics 2014 report found that about six per 1,000 female college students are sexually assaulted.
• Statistics indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will suffer sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, with one-third of these cases involving a family member.
• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that 325,000 children annually are at risk of sexual exploitation.
• The average age at which children are forced or coerced into prostitution ranges from 12 to 14 years for girls and 11 to 13 years for boys.
• These figures underscore the pervasive challenge of sexual violence across different demographics and settings.

Source: Colorado Bureau of Investigation [3].

Related Articles:

• Can Sex Offenders Get a Passport?
• Which Countries Can Sex Offenders Travel To?
• Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

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References:

1. https://www.shouselaw.com/co/blog/colorado-sex-offender-rules/
2. https://coloradocourtrecords.us/criminal-court-records/types/sex-offenses/
3. https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/dps/sor/faq.jsf