It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of daily life – including procedures for sex offenders regarding registering with the Larimer County Sheriff. Previously, when someone convicted of a sex offense was supposed to register, all they had to do was go to the sheriff’s office and turn in the paperwork. There were no restrictions on when this could occur – meaning, as long as the office was open, the person could take care of their requirement. Then COVID-19 changed this immensely. When the stay at home order was first issued, Larimer County Sheriff had to take over for anyone registering with Fort Collins or Loveland Police. Suddenly, the county sheriff became responsible for all the registrants. While, the city agencies have started taken their registration process back, there are still some changes with LCSO. Those who live outside the city limits and register with the sheriff, must schedule an appointment as they are no longer allowing walk-ins. Obviously, this is for safety reasons, as it helps minimize exposure and number of people in the building. If you are required to register as a sex offender in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, make sure to check with the agency you register with to see if any new procedures are in place to avoid any issues.
COVID-19 and Sex Offender Registration Frequency in Fort Collins: How Often and When Do I Need to Register?
According to C.R.S. 16-22-108 – Registration Procedure and Frequency – here are the rules related to frequency of registration and when registration needs to occur:
- For initial registration – within five business days after release from incarceration for commission of the offense requiring registration or within five business days after receiving notice of the duty to register, if the person was not incarcerated.
- For annual registration – within five business days before or after the person’s first birthday following initial registration and annually within five business days before or after the person’s birthday thereafter.
- For a new residence – within five business days after establishing an additional residence in any city, town, county, or city and county within Colorado, register with the local law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which he or she establishes the additional residence.
- For those required to register quarterly or sexually violent predators – within five business days before or after the date that is three months after the date on which the person was released from incarceration for commission of the offense requiring registration or, if the person was not incarcerated, after the date on which he or she received notice of the duty to register. The person shall register within five business days before or after that date every three months thereafter until the person’s birthday. The person shall reregister within five business days before or after his or her next birthday and shall reregister within five business days before or after that date every three months thereafter.
- For any registration information changes – within five business days of the change – including:
- Changes such person’s address, regardless of whether such person has moved to a new address within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency with which such person previously registered;
- Changes the address at which a vehicle, trailer, or motor home is located, if the vehicle, trailer, or motor home is the person’s place of residence, regardless of whether the new address is within the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency with which such person previously registered;
- Legally changes such person’s name;
- Establishes an additional residence in another jurisdiction or an additional residence in the same jurisdiction;
- Becomes employed or changes employment or employment location, if employed at an institution of postsecondary education;
- Becomes enrolled or changes enrollment in an institution of postsecondary education, or changes the location of enrollment;
- Becomes a volunteer or changes the volunteer work location, if volunteering at an institution of postsecondary education;
- Changes his or her e-mail address, instant-messaging identity, or chat room identity, if the person is required to register that information pursuant to subsection (2.5) of this section. The person shall register the e-mail address, instant-messaging identity, or chat room identity prior to using it.
- Ceases to lack a fixed residence and establishes a residence; or
- Ceases to reside at an address and lacks a fixed residence.
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