The SOLAR Project - Sex Offender Legal Advocacy & Reform
📍 STATE GUIDE

Colorado — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Colorado.

10/12/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: Colorado imposes no statewide residency-distance restrictions for registrants; any limits come from supervision conditions or local ordinances (Larimer County fact sheet).
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: State law has no statewide safety-zone/loitering bans for registrants; any location limits are set case-by-case by courts/parole or local rules (C.R.S. art. 22 index • CBI SOR Unit).
  • Duration of Registration: Registration continues for life unless relief is granted; petitions may be filed after 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the offense, per C.R.S. §16-22-113, and juveniles terminate automatically under §16-22-103(4).
  • Tiering / Level System: Colorado has no formal tier levels; sexually violent predators register for life with quarterly verification while others are annual with petition windows under §16-22-113.

At a Glance

  • People convicted or adjudicated of “unlawful sexual behavior,” and certain out-of-state offenders who are temporary or permanent residents, must register; see C.R.S. §16-22-103.
  • Initial deadline: Initial registration is due within five business days after release or after receiving notice if not incarcerated; see §16-22-108(1)(a)(II).
  • Verification: Most registrants re-register annually around their birthday; specified felonies and SVPs re-register every three months; see §16-22-108(1)(b),(d).
  • Primary method: Register in person with the local police or sheriff where you reside; photo and fingerprints are taken and you pay any local fee; see §16-22-108(1)(a),(2),(6),(7).
  • ⚠️ Changes (address, name, added residence, school/work at a college, certain online IDs) must be reported within five business days; see §16-22-108(3).
  • ⚠️ Temporary residents (present >14 business days or >30 days/year) must register within five business days of arrival; see §16-22-102(1.7)(c) and §16-22-108(5).
  • ⚠️ CBI website does not list juveniles or most misdemeanor-only offenders; public records may still be available by request; see CBI notice.
  • ⚠️ Missing a window can be charged; penalties are in §18-3-412.5.
  • ⚠️ Email/IM IDs must be registered if convicted of a listed child-sex crime; see §16-22-108(2.5).

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • Most people with qualifying convictions must register with local law enforcement.
  • Annual check-ins for many; some must check in every three months.
  • Deadlines are short and in business days.

Watch-outs

  • Temporary visits can trigger duties after 14 business days or 30 days/year.
  • Not everyone appears on the CBI website, but you must still register.

Summarized from C.R.S. §16-22-103, §16-22-108 and CBI public pages.

Reviewed 10/12/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Residents and temporary residents with qualifying convictions or adjudications—and out-of-state or federal/military convictions that would trigger registration if committed in Colorado—must register; see §16-22-103(2)–(4). Temporary resident thresholds are defined in §16-22-102(1.7)(c).

Duration: Registration continues for life unless relief is granted; petitions may be filed after 5, 10, or 20 years depending on the offense, per C.R.S. §16-22-113, and juveniles terminate automatically under §16-22-103(4).

What this means in practice

  • Colorado and out-of-state convictions can trigger duties.
  • Visitors working/studying or staying past thresholds must register.

Watch-outs

  • Temporary resident is counted in business days for the 14-day rule.

See C.R.S. §16-22-103 and §16-22-102(1.7)(c).

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Initial registration within five business days after release or notice; see §16-22-108(1)(a)(II).
  • Annual re-registration within five business days before or after the birthday; quarterly schedule for specified offenses/SVPs; see §16-22-108(1)(b),(d).
  • Report changes (address, added residence, name, higher-ed employment/enrollment/volunteer, certain online IDs, fixed-residence status) within five business days; see §16-22-108(3).
  • If discharged from DOC without supervision, register by the next business day; see §16-22-108(1)(e).

What this means in practice

  • Initial within 5 business days; annual on/near birthday; some quarterly.
  • Report address/name/added residence/school-work changes within 5 business days.

Watch-outs

  • DOC discharge without supervision requires next-business-day registration.
  • College work/enrollment triggers extra reporting.

See C.R.S. §16-22-108 (subsections (1)–(4)).

Verification & In-Person Requirements

  • Register and re-register in person at local police/sheriff; see §16-22-108(1),(2).
  • Photo and fingerprints required at initial and annual visits; registrant bears the cost; see §16-22-108(6).
  • Waiver of in-person re-registration may be available for certain severe disabilities with verification; see §16-22-108(1)(a).

What this means in practice

  • Go to local police/sheriff in person; bring ID and payment.
  • Photo and fingerprints are taken.

Watch-outs

  • Limited medical waiver exists for in-person re-registration only.

See C.R.S. §16-22-108 (subsections (1)–(2),(6)).

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

No statewide residency-restriction statute; some municipalities adopt local ordinances. See Larimer County guidance noting the absence of a statewide ban and potential local rules (county fact sheet).

What this means in practice

  • Colorado has no statewide residency-restriction law.
  • Some cities/counties may have their own rules.

Watch-outs

  • Parole/probation housing rules can still apply if under supervision.

Checked Larimer County guidance and absence of statewide statute.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • If employed/enrolled/volunteering at a postsecondary institution, report status/location changes within five business days; see §16-22-108(3)(d)–(f).
  • For listed child-sex crimes, register email/IM/chat identities before first use; limited exception for employer-provided addresses; see §16-22-108(2.5).

Public Website Exposure

  • CBI posts certain registrants online; scope and procedure are in §16-22-111.
  • CBI states it does not post juveniles or persons only convicted of misdemeanor sex offenses; see CBI site notice (CBI agreement).
  • Juvenile records may be released by written request to CBI with limits; see CBI guidance (CBI SOR Unit).

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • When moving out of Colorado, file a registration cancellation form within five business days and notify the new address; the CBI will notify the receiving state; see §16-22-108(4)(a)(II).
  • Failure to register/verify on time is criminal; see penalties in §18-3-412.5.

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • Visitors become temporary residents—and must register—if present >14 consecutive business days or >30 days in a calendar year (or if working/attending school over the same thresholds); see §16-22-102(1.7)(c) and registration timing in §16-22-108(5).
  • Temporary residents must register within five business days of arrival in each jurisdiction of residence; see §16-22-108(5).

Compliance & Enforcement

Failure to register, re-register, or update information as required is a crime; misdemeanor or felony level depends on the underlying offense; see §18-3-412.5.

What this means in practice

  • Missing a deadline or failing to update can be charged.
  • Level (misdemeanor vs. felony) depends on the underlying offense.

Watch-outs

  • Keep receipts and proof of timely visits.

See C.R.S. §18-3-412.5.

Relief Paths

  • Petition the court to discontinue registration (and internet posting, when applicable) at times set by offense class; process and standards are in §16-22-113.
  • Juvenile duty to register automatically terminates at age 25 or seven years after the duty began (whichever is later), if no disqualifying adult conviction; see §16-22-103(4).
  • Colorado Supreme Court held mandatory lifetime juvenile registration unconstitutional; see People in Interest of T.B., 2021 CO 59.
  • Judicial branch provides self-help forms/instructions (JDF 460i & related) for petitions; see JDF 460i.

What this means in practice

  • Courts can end registration after the statute’s waiting periods.
  • Juvenile duty ends automatically at 25 or 7 years after start, whichever is later.

Watch-outs

  • SVPs and certain offenses remain lifetime with no relief.
  • File in the correct court and notify required agencies.

See C.R.S. §16-22-113 and §16-22-103(4); People in Interest of T.B. (2021) (opinion).

Special Populations

  • Sexually Violent Predators and listed felony offenses have lifetime registration and quarterly verification; see §16-22-108(1)(d).
  • Persons with qualifying disabilities may obtain a limited waiver of in-person re-registration with documentation and periodic review; see §16-22-108(1)(a).
  • Persons without a fixed residence must still register and keep quarterly/annual schedules; see §16-22-108(1)(d),(3)(h),(3)(i).

Costs & Payments

  • Local registration fees up to $75 initial and $25 per annual/quarterly reregistration; indigency waivers allowed; see §16-22-108(7).
  • Registrant pays for photo/fingerprints at registration; see §16-22-108(6).
  • Optional fee (up to $15) for confirming automatic juvenile termination status; see §16-22-108(8)(b).
  • CBI may charge reasonable fees for registry list requests; see §16-22-110(7).

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Statute: HB21-1064 — 2021 Regular Session; effective 2021-09-01. Ended mandatory lifetime registration based solely on multiple juvenile adjudications; added automatic juvenile termination rule and procedural updates for petitions. link
  • Case: People in Interest of T.B., 2021 CO 59 — Colorado Supreme Court (2021-06-29) — Mandatory lifetime juvenile sex-offender registration is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment; juveniles must have a meaningful path to deregistration. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Confirm you are required to register under §16-22-103; check temporary-resident thresholds in §16-22-102(1.7)(c).
  • Within 5 business days of arrival or release, appear at local police/sheriff to register; bring ID, proof of address, vehicle info, court papers, and fees; see §16-22-108(1),(6),(7).
  • Ask about your verification cadence (annual vs. quarterly) and set reminders; see §16-22-108(1)(b),(d).
  • If you have a qualifying child-sex conviction, prepare to register email/IM IDs; see §16-22-108(2.5).

Moving Out / Traveling

  • Within 5 business days after ceasing to reside at a Colorado address, file the registration cancellation form with local law enforcement; include old and new addresses; see §16-22-108(4)(a).
  • If moving out of state, submit the cancellation form and confirm CBI notification to the receiving state; see §16-22-108(4)(a)(II).
  • Register timely in the new state per its law to avoid charges; penalties in Colorado are at §18-3-412.5.

Records Request Template

To: Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Sex Offender Registration Unit\n\nRe: Request for sex-offender registry record and current status\n\nI request my complete registration record and current status under C.R.S. §16-22-110 and related CBI policies. I am the subject of the record. Please include all addresses on file, registration dates, verification history, and any internet-posting status under §16-22-111. Enclosed is identification and any required fee.\n\nName/DoB/Last four of SSN:\nCurrent address/phone/email:\nPrior Colorado jurisdictions of registration:\n\nPlease mail or email the results to the address above.

Relief Petition Outline

Caption: District Court, County of ____; Case: original criminal or juvenile case.\n\nTitle: Petition to Discontinue Sex Offender Registration and/or Internet Posting.\n\nAllegations: (1) Identify conviction/adjudication and statute; (2) State eligibility under §16-22-113(1) with applicable waiting period; (3) Address any disqualifiers; (4) Attach proof of successful registration compliance; (5) If juvenile, note automatic-termination rule under §16-22-103(4) or exemption order; (6) Service by certified mail to all required agencies per §16-22-113(2).\n\nRelief Requested: Order discontinuing registration and, if applicable, removing internet posting.\n\nAttachments: JDF forms (e.g., JDF 460i/461/475), proof of compliance, supporting evaluation (if required), certificates, and notices of service.

Tips for using these checklists

  • Follow the arrival/move checklists and keep stamped copies.
  • Use the template to request your CBI record before filing for relief.

Based on C.R.S. §16-22-108, §16-22-110 and JDF 460i instructions.

Citations

🤝 This guide was created from official legal sources and checked with the help of AI-assisted research. We strive for accuracy and clarity — if you spot something that seems off or out of date, please let us know so we can correct it for everyone.

Informational only; not legal advice.