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Colorado is known for its naturally beautiful landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to its sand dunes and green natural forests. However, if you think that your own "natural landscape" is just as beautiful and should be as openly displayed, you may find yourself at odds with the law.

Colorado law prohibits public nudity and indecently exposing oneself in a sexual manner to alarm or offend others. These crimes are called public indecency and indecent exposure and can result in jail time and even registration in the state's sex offender registry.

Overview of Colorado Indecent Exposure Laws

The indecent exposure laws in Colorado are further explained in the table below:

Statutes

Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-7-301 (public indecency)

Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-7-302 (indecent exposure)

What Is Prohibited?

Public Indecency: When a person, in a public place in view of others, does any of the following:

• Has sex
• Exposes one's intimate parts except for genitals (i.e. the anus, perineum, pubes, or breasts) in a lewd manner, if done to arouse a sexual desire in anyone
• Fondles or caresses another's body in a lewd manner
• Knowingly exposes one's genitals to another person in a way likely to alarm or offend the person

Indecent Exposure: When a person does any of the following:

• Knowingly exposes one's genitals in view of another in a way likely to cause alarm or offend with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of anyone
• Knowingly masturbates (real or simulated touching or rubbing one's genitals or pubic area for sexual gratification whether covered or exposed) in view of others in a manner likely to alarm or offend them