The criminal offense of sexual assault generally involves forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration of another person—against the person’s will and without the person’s consent.

Sexual assault laws vary from state to state, and in some states the traditional criminal offense of rape is defined as the criminal offense of sexual assault. In some states the touching, groping, or pinching of the body of another person without the person’s consent and for purposes of sexual gratification is defined as sexual assault—and in other states such nonconsensual sexual contact is defined as the criminal offense of sexual battery or forcible touching, for example.

Sexual assault and related criminal offenses are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Colorado, sexual assault is defined under Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18 Criminal Code, Article 3, Part 4. The law encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual acts, including forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration, which align with the general description of sexual assault. Consent is a key factor, and the absence of it is what typically defines the act as assault. Colorado law recognizes that consent cannot be given under certain circumstances, such as when a person is incapacitated or when the perpetrator is in a position of authority over the victim. The state differentiates between sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact, the latter often involving the nonconsensual touching of another person's intimate parts for sexual gratification, which may be akin to what is referred to as sexual battery or forcible touching in other jurisdictions. Penalties for sexual assault in Colorado can be severe and include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. It is important for individuals facing such charges or those who are victims of such offenses to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable about Colorado's specific laws and procedures regarding sexual assault.