Registering as a sex offender is a requirement for most people who have plead to or been convicted of a sex offense in Fort Collins, Loveland and across Colorado. The rules for sex offender registration vary state to state. Let’s look at the top 4 questions we get related to sex offender registration in Colorado.
How Long Do Sex Offenders Have to Register in Colorado?
The length of time a person must register as a sex offender in Fort Collins and Larimer County depends on the level felony or misdemeanor sex offense they have on their record.
- For a class 1, class 2, or class 3 felony:
- the person must wait 20 years from the end of their sentence to petition the court to deregister.
- For a class 4, class 5, class 6 felony, or class 1 misdemeanor Unlawful Sexual Contact:
- the person must wait 10 years from the end of their sentence to request off the registry.
- For a possession of child pornography (Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-6-403(3)(b.5):
- the person must register for at least 10 years.
- Any misdemeanor sex offense other than Unlawful Sexual Contact:
- a 5-year registration requirement before petitioning the Larimer County Court to be removed.
- For a deferred sentence or adjudication:
- the person can request to be removed from the sex offender registry upon successful completion of the sentence and the case dismissal.
There are certain convictions, though, that require lifetime registration. See below for more information on that.
What are the Rules for Sex Offenders Visiting Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado?
Anyone with a conviction for a sex offense who is required to register in another state, may be required to register with the local law enforcement agency (Fort Collins Police, Loveland Police or Larimer County Sheriff) while visiting Colorado. If the person is staying in Colorado for more than 14 consecutive days, or for more than 30 days total in a calendar year, then they must register as a temporary resident.
Can a Sex Offender Get Off the Registry in Colorado?
Yes, as stated above, there are timeframes for how long a person must register as a sex offender depending on the level felony or misdemeanor sex offense they are convicted of. After that time period has passed, a person is able to file a petition with the Court where their original case was out of to request the relief of no longer having to register as a sex offender. Judges usually like to see that the person was successful on their sentence, completed treatment, and hasn’t pick up any new criminal cases. It is up to the discretion of the judge. There is no guarantee that petitioning the court will allow a person to deregister.
Is Colorado a Lifetime Sex Offender Registry State?
Yes, Colorado is a lifetime sex offender registry state. This means that convictions for certain crimes mean the person will have to register as a sex offender for life and will never be able to request the Court allow them to deregister. Those who must register quarterly (every three months) must register for the rest of their lives. The following crimes require lifetime registration:
- Felony Sexual Assault – C.R.S. 18-3-402
- Sexual Assault on a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-405
- Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust – C.R.S. 18-3-405.3
- Sexual Assault on a Client by a Psychotherapist – C.R.S. 18-3-405.5
- Incest – C.R.S. 18-6-301
- Aggravated Incest – C.R.S. 18-6-302
Also, anyone who has been deemed a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) must register for life.
If you or someone you love has questions about Sex Offender Registration, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click HERE to visit our Weld County website. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata