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Who has to register as a sex offender in Colorado?




In general, defendants convicted of any of the following crimes — or attempts to commit the following crimes — are people required to register as sex offenders in Colorado:

  1. Sexual assault — 18-3-402 C.R.S.
  2. Sexual assault in the first degree — 18-3-402 C.R.S. — as it existed prior to July 1, 2000.
  3. Sexual assault in the second degree –18-3-403 C.R.S. — as it existed prior to July 1, 2000.
  4. Unlawful sexual contact — 18-3-404 C.R.S – or sexual assault in the third degree –18-3-404 C.R.S — as these crimes existed prior to July 1, 2000.
  5. Second-degree kidnapping — 18-3-302(3)(a) C.R.S.
  6. Invasion of privacy for sexual gratification — 18-3-405.6 C.R.S.
  7. Soliciting for child prostitution — 18-7-402 C.R.S.
  8. Sexual assault on a child — 18-3-405 C.R.S.
  9. Sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist — 18-3-405.5 C.R.S.
  10. Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust — 18-3-405.3 C.R.S.
  11. Enticement of a child — 18-3-305 C.R.S.
  12. Aggravated incest — 18-6-302 C.R.S.
  13. Incest — 18-6-301 C.R.S.
  14. Pandering of a child — 18-7-403 C.R.S.
  15. Trafficking in children — 18-3-502 C.R.S.
  16. Sexual exploitation of children — 18-6-403 C.R.S.
  17. Procurement of a child for sexual exploitation — 18-6-404 C.R.S.
  18. Indecent exposure — 18-7-302 C.R.S.
  19. Public indecency — 18-7-301(2.b) C.R.S.: third or subsequent offense or second offense committed within five years of a previous offense;
  20. Procurement of a child –18-7-403.5 C.R.S.
  21. Keeping a place of child prostitution –18-7-404 C.R.S.
  22. Pimping of a child — 18-7-405 C.R.S.
  23. Inducement of child prostitution — 18-7-405.5 C.R.S.
  24. Patronizing a prostituted child — 18-7-406 C.R.S.
  25. Sexual conduct prohibited under 18-7-701 C.R.S.
  26. Promotion of obscenity to a minor — 18-7-102(2.5) C.R.S.
  27. Wholesale promotion of obscenity to a minor — 18-7-102(1.5) C.R.S.
  28. Internet sexual exploitation of a child — 18-3-405.4 C.R.S.
  29. Class 4 felony internet luring of a child –18-3-306 (3) C.R.S.

The Colorado crime of failing to register as a sex offender is a class 6 felony, carrying:

In addition, the person’s failure to register may be publicly noted on the Colorado Sex Offender Registry.

People who are adjudged as sexually violent predators in Colorado must register as a sex offender for the rest of their lives. Otherwise, registrants may petition the court to remove their name once a predetermined period of time has passed since the case closed (and the registrant had no other sex offense convictions during this time). The waiting period depends on what the original conviction was for.

Type of Colorado Sex Offense

Waiting period to petition for removal from the Sex Registry

Class 1, 2, or 3 felony 20 years after the case closes
Class 4, 5, or 6 felony 10 years after the case closes
Misdemeanor 1 sexual assault or contact 10 years after the case closes
Other misdemeanors 5 years after the case closes
Deferred sentence or adjudication After successful completion and case dismissal
The defendant is under 18 After the case gets dismissed
Failure to register 1 year following full compliance

About the Author

Picture of Michael Becker

Michael Becker

Michael Becker has over a quarter-century's worth of experience as an attorney and more than 100 trials under his belt. He is a sought-after legal commentator and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Nevada, California, and Florida.

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