Colorado’s close-in-age exemption, typically referred to informally by a preferred literary moniker, addresses consensual sexual relationships between minors the place the age distinction falls inside a selected vary. As an illustration, it permits a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old to have interaction in a sexual relationship with out the older associate going through prosecution for statutory rape, supplied particular situations are met. These situations typically embrace concerns of coercion, exploitation, and the pre-existing relationship dynamics.
This statutory exception seeks to stop the criminalization of consensual sexual exercise between younger folks whose ages are shut collectively, recognizing the developmental levels and complexities of adolescent relationships. It goals to stability the safety of minors from sexual exploitation with the avoidance of overly harsh penalties for people partaking in age-appropriate relationships. Traditionally, such legal guidelines have emerged from the popularity that strict statutory rape legal guidelines can generally result in unintended and arguably unjust penalties.
