Colorado criminal charge
Disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment in Colorado
Disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-7-107. 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. § 18-7-107.
What is the penalty for disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - base offense — Applies generally when the actor discloses or threatens to disclose a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction without consent as described in subsection (1)(a), absent the aggravating imminent-threat circumstance.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - base offense — Applies generally when the actor discloses or threatens to disclose a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction without consent as described in subsection (1)(a), absent the aggravating imminent-threat circumstance.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - imminent serious threat to safety — Applies when the actor disclosed the image or depiction and the disclosure posed an imminent and serious threat to the depicted individual's safety or that of their immediate family, and the actor knew or reasonably should have known of that threat.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - imminent serious threat to safety — Applies when the actor disclosed the image or depiction and the disclosure posed an imminent and serious threat to the depicted individual's safety or that of their immediate family, and the actor knew or reasonably should have known of that threat.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - imminent serious threat to safety — Applies when the actor disclosed the image or depiction and the disclosure posed an imminent and serious threat to the depicted individual's safety or that of their immediate family, and the actor knew or reasonably should have known of that threat.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - base offense | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies generally when the actor discloses or threatens to disclose a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction without consent as described in subsection (1)(a), absent the aggravating imminent-threat circumstance. | 18-7-107(1)(b) |
| Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - imminent serious threat to safety | class 6 felony | Applies when the actor disclosed the image or depiction and the disclosure posed an imminent and serious threat to the depicted individual's safety or that of their immediate family, and the actor knew or reasonably should have known of that threat. | 18-7-107(1)(b) |
Common questions about disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment in Colorado
Is disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-7-107.
Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - base offense: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-7-107(1)(b)) · Disclosing private intimate image/depiction for harassment - imminent serious threat to safety: class 6 felony (C.R.S. § 18-7-107(1)(b))
What are the penalties for disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment in Colorado?
Penalties for disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 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 disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment?
Disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment is governed by C.R.S. § 18-7-107 (Disclosing a private intimate image or intimate digital depiction for harassment - definitions).
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.