For the most part, pornography is legal in Colorado and across the United States.

Employers, schools and other private businesses may forbid and punish those who possess or view it, but when the pornography and its viewing involves only consenting adults, it will not be illegal.

On the other hand, pornography depicting children, which includes anyone under 18, is illegal and can land a person in prison for a long time. In Colorado, possession or distribution of child pornography is legally referred to as sexual exploitation of a child.

The possession of even 1 image of child pornography can mean a prison sentence of up to 3 years and thousands of dollars in fines.

Additionally, parole and probation could include highly restrictive terms and mandatory sex offender treatment. If a person possesses several images, it could mean a harsher penalty.

Likewise, a person caught sharing even 1 image of child pornography could face up to 6 years in prison.

A Person Convicted of a Pornography-related Charge May Never Live It Down

Additionally, even after a Denver resident serves his punishment, he will still have to register as a sex offender for decades and follow any laws that apply to registered sex offenders. He will also have a felony conviction on his record.

Employers and others take sex crime convictions very seriously. A person convicted may have a hard time returning to her normal life or even finding a job.

There are defenses available to this sort of charge.  For example, authorities will ordinarily need to get a valid search warrant before looking at a person’s computer.

A resident of the Denver area who is accused of a crime related to child pornography will want to understand all of his legal options.