A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning protecting minors from exposure to sexual
Page 1, Line 102content.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill prohibits an individual, organization, or entity from:
- Permitting a minor to attend events, performances, or activities explicitly involving sexual content or pornographic materials; or
- Exposing a minor to pornographic materials in any form, including digital, print, or broadcast mediums.
- Educational materials or school programs explicitly designed for age-appropriate sex education in accordance with local and federal regulations; or
- Parental or guardian discussions about sexual health and development appropriate to the child's maturity level.
The prohibition does not apply to:
A violation is an unclassified misdemeanor, and for the first violation the penalty is a fine of up to $10,000. A second or subsequent violation is subject to a sentence of up to 2 years in jail. A violator is also subject to revocation of a business license if the violator is an establishment that knowingly permits such exposure.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal and reenact, with amendments, part 5 of article 7 of title 18 as follows:
Page 2, Line 3PART 5
SEXUALLY EXPLICIT REPRESENTATIONS
Page 2, Line 4HARMFUL TO CHILDREN
Page 2, Line 518-7-501. Legislative declaration.This part 5 is intended to
Page 2, Line 6safeguard minors under the age of eighteen from exposure to
Page 2, Line 7sexual or pornographic materials and activities that could be
Page 2, Line 8harmful to their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Page 2, Line 918-7-502. Definitions.As used in this part 5, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 10(1) "Minor" means a person who is under the age of eighteen.
Page 2, Line 11(2) "Pornographic materials" means explicit visual,
Page 2, Line 12auditory, or written content depicting sexual activity, nudity, or other sexually explicit themes.
Page 2, Line 13(3) "Public setting" includes, but is not limited to, public
Page 3, Line 1events, performances, establishments, and venues accessible to the general public.
Page 3, Line 2(4) "Sex education" means a program for schoolchildren,
Page 3, Line 3and sometimes for adults, with instruction on the anatomy and
Page 3, Line 4physiology of sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy and how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
Page 3, Line 5(5) "Sexual activities" means acts or simulations of sexual behavior intended for adult audiences.
Page 3, Line 618-7-503. Prohibitions. (1) An individual, organization, or entity shall not:
Page 3, Line 7(a) Permit a minor to attend events, performances, or
Page 3, Line 8activities explicitly involving sexual content or pornographic materials; or
Page 3, Line 9(b) Expose a minor to pornographic materials in any form, including digital, print, or broadcast mediums.
Page 3, Line 1018-7-504. Exceptions. (1) This part 5 does not apply to:
Page 3, Line 11(a) Educational materials or school programs explicitly
Page 3, Line 12designed for age-appropriate sex education in accordance with local and federal regulations; or
Page 3, Line 13(b) Parental or guardian discussions about sexual health and development appropriate to the child's maturity level.
Page 3, Line 1418-7-505. Penalties. (1) (a) An individual, organization, or
Page 3, Line 15entity that violates section 18-7-503 commits an unclassified
Page 3, Line 16misdemeanor, and the court shall impose a fine of up to ten thousand dollars.
Page 3, Line 17(b) In addition to the fine required in subsection (1)(a) of
Page 3, Line 18this section, a second or subsequent violation of section 18-7-503 is subject to a sentence of up to two years in jail.
Page 4, Line 1(2) An individual, organization, or entity that violates
Page 4, Line 2section 18-7-503 is subject to revocation of a business license if
Page 4, Line 3the violator is an establishment that knowingly permits such exposure.
Page 4, Line 418-7-506. Enforcement. (1) Local law enforcement
Page 4, Line 5agencies and designated child protection authorities shall enforce the provisions of this part 5.
Page 4, Line 6(2) A person may report violations of section 18-7-503
Page 4, Line 7anonymously to child welfare hotlines or local law enforcement.
Page 4, Line 818-7-507. Severability.If any provision of this part 5 is
Page 4, Line 9found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
Page 4, Line 10SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 4, Line 11applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 4, Line 12the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 4, Line 13general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant
Page 4, Line 14to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an
Page 4, Line 15item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
Page 4, Line 16section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 4, Line 17general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 4, Line 18effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Page 4, Line 19(2) This act applies to offenses committed on or after the applicable effective date of this act.