True or False: Having Sex in a Car Is Quite Illegal in Colorado
Inquiring minds want to know: is having sex in a privately owned car legal or illegal in the State of Colorado? There's a lot of circumstances to unpack here, with a variety of different outcomes.
But first... let's pause for a flashback moment from the blockbuster motion picture, Titanic, shall we?
Now, in 2023 - and not just in the cargo hold of a cruise ship - having sex in a car itself is not illegal. You could park in your garage, close the garage door and in theory, do anything you want in there in the privacy of your own home. Nobody would ever know anyway, but if someone did happen to see you through a window or something and call the cops, you were in the privacy of your own home so that's totally legal. Maybe close the curtains next time, but you're safe.
Now, let's change the location and exposure a bit. If having sex in your privately owned car is legal, then Is having sex in your privately owned car, say, parked up at Horsetooth Reservoir also legal? Nope, now you're breaking the law. All those windows for 360 degree voyeurs to see what you're doing.
In seriousness, obviously, it's all about the exposure to the public. And there's a few different Colorado statutes that cover this in detail.
First, let's talk about indecent exposure. In a nutshell, Colorado Revised Statues (CRS) Section 18-7-302 defines indecent exposure as "knowingly exposing yourself to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person." That's the basic definition. There's a lot of other variables under the full statute, but that's the gist of it.
If you're getting busy in a car - out in public view - you definitely risk being ticketed for indecent exposure.
But public indecency is the one that will get you, for sure. It's CRS 18-7-301. It says, at the very top:
"Any person who performs any of the following in a public place or where the conduct may reasonably be expected to be viewed by members of the public commits public indecency..."
And the very first item on the list? An act of sexual intercourse.
So, True or False: Having sex in a car in Colorado is quite illegal?
Oh yes, quite. Pretty much 100% true, with few exceptions, like being in the privacy of your own garage. But then why not opt for someplace more comfortable if you're at home?
Regardless, if the mood strikes while you're out and about and you get caught, all is not necessarily lost. It's all about what people can see. Got a van with no windows? Probably gonna be just fine. A convertible? That's a no go.
Here's some attorney speak from YouTube. I don't endorse this video or firm, nor should it be considered actual legal advice, but he does explain the differences between the laws.
If convicted, public indecency comes with up ten days in jail and a fine in the State of Colorado.
All in all, let's all just agree to opt for better safe than sorry. Nobody should want to share this moment with others, and nobody wants to see you out there doing it anyway.