Colorado’s close-in-age exemption, often referred to informally by a popular literary moniker, addresses consensual sexual relationships between minors where the age difference falls within a specific range. For instance, it allows a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old to engage in a sexual relationship without the older partner facing prosecution for statutory rape, provided specific conditions are met. These conditions often include considerations of coercion, exploitation, and the pre-existing relationship dynamics.
This statutory exception seeks to prevent the criminalization of consensual sexual activity between young people whose ages are close together, recognizing the developmental stages and complexities of adolescent relationships. It aims to balance the protection of minors from sexual exploitation with the avoidance of overly harsh penalties for individuals engaging in age-appropriate relationships. Historically, such laws have emerged from the recognition that strict statutory rape laws can sometimes lead to unintended and arguably unjust consequences.
