A lot of people don’t understand what the Romeo and Juliet exemption actually does here in Colorado. And honestly, that’s part of the problem.

Colorado still classifies sex with minors as illegal. A minor is anyone under 18 — that includes 17-year-olds. But the Romeo and Juliet exemption reduces penalties for adults who have sex with minors, as long as the age difference fits the law.

What does that really mean?

Felony charges can be reduced to misdemeanors
Sentences can be lighter
Offenders may not have to register as sex offenders

Originally, this exemption was meant to protect real teenage relationships — like two high schoolers where one turns 18 a few months before the other. No one is trying to punish that. That’s not the issue.

Colorado even has a clause that says if you're in a position of trust — like a teacher or coach — you can still face the full consequences of the law. But the only reason that clause exists is because the close-in-age exemption is so broad.

And here’s where it becomes dangerous:

People are being told the age gap is four years. Websites like RomeoJulietLaw.com even claim that. But that’s misleading.
For 16- and 17-year-olds, the exemption allows an adult to be up to 10 years older and still receive reduced charges.

Yes — that means:

A 16-year-old and a 25-year-old can legally have sex
The adult may face only a misdemeanor
They can avoid the sex offender registry
They can walk away and do it again
That’s not protecting teens — that’s protecting pedophiles.

And when parents try to press charges — even when there's grooming, pressure, or manipulation — the exemption can block their path to justice.

 
✅ Here’s what needs to change:
1️⃣ Change the age of consent to 18
Seventeen is still a minor. There is no scientific or psychological evidence showing 17-year-olds are ready to consent to sex with adults.

2️⃣ Redefine “close in age” to 1–3 years — not up to a decade
That still protects real teen couples. For example:

A 17-year-old with a 19- or 20-year-old could still qualify under the exemption
But a 26-year-old with a 16-year-old would NOT
Right now, Colorado says “no sex with minors” — then makes exceptions that contradict that completely. This gray area allows adults to target minors and face minimal consequences.

 
🚫 What this petition is NOT about:
It does not change laws about:

Rape
Sexual assault
Trafficking
Coercion
Abuse
Non-consensual acts
Those crimes must still be fully prosecuted. This petition targets only one thing: the loophole that shields adults who prey on minors under the false idea of “consent.”

 
🔹 The bottom line:
If you're a minor, you cannot legally consent.
Adults should not get exemptions for exploiting that.

We want this law to protect teenagers — not predators.

That’s the purpose of this petition.