Colorado criminal charge
Unlawful sexual contact in Colorado
Unlawful sexual contact is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-404. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-404.
What is the penalty for unlawful sexual contact in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Unlawful sexual contact - base offense — Unlawful sexual contact is a class 1 misdemeanor unless the aggravating factors in (2)(b) apply.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Unlawful sexual contact - base offense — Unlawful sexual contact is a class 1 misdemeanor unless the aggravating factors in (2)(b) apply.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Unlawful sexual contact - force, intimidation, threat, medical treatment abuse, or child coercion — Unlawful sexual contact is a class 4 felony if the actor compels submission through force, intimidation, or threat as specified in section 18-3-402(4)(a)-(c), or engages in conduct described in (1)(g) (non-bona fide medical treatment/examination), or engages in conduct described in (1.5) (inducing/coercing a child).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $2,000 to $500,000 (Unlawful sexual contact - force, intimidation, threat, medical treatment abuse, or child coercion — Unlawful sexual contact is a class 4 felony if the actor compels submission through force, intimidation, or threat as specified in section 18-3-402(4)(a)-(c), or engages in conduct described in (1)(g) (non-bona fide medical treatment/examination), or engages in conduct described in (1.5) (inducing/coercing a child).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Unlawful sexual contact - force, intimidation, threat, medical treatment abuse, or child coercion — Unlawful sexual contact is a class 4 felony if the actor compels submission through force, intimidation, or threat as specified in section 18-3-402(4)(a)-(c), or engages in conduct described in (1)(g) (non-bona fide medical treatment/examination), or engages in conduct described in (1.5) (inducing/coercing a child).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is unlawful sexual contact classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful sexual contact - base offense | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Unlawful sexual contact is a class 1 misdemeanor unless the aggravating factors in (2)(b) apply. | 18-3-404(2)(a) |
| Unlawful sexual contact - force, intimidation, threat, medical treatment abuse, or child coercion | Class 4 Felony | Unlawful sexual contact is a class 4 felony if the actor compels submission through force, intimidation, or threat as specified in section 18-3-402(4)(a)-(c), or engages in conduct described in (1)(g) (non-bona fide medical treatment/examination), or engages in conduct described in (1.5) (inducing/coercing a child). | 18-3-404(2)(b) |
Common questions about unlawful sexual contact in Colorado
Is unlawful sexual contact a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful sexual contact ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 4 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-3-404.
Unlawful sexual contact - base offense: Class 1 Misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-3-404(2)(a)) · Unlawful sexual contact - force, intimidation, threat, medical treatment abuse, or child coercion: Class 4 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-404(2)(b))
What are the penalties for unlawful sexual contact in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful sexual contact in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 1 Misdemeanor up to a Class 4 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers unlawful sexual contact?
Unlawful sexual contact is governed by C.R.S. § 18-3-404 (Unlawful sexual contact).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.