Just because you might not be 18 yet doesn’t mean that you don’t have the right to take charge of your sexual and reproductive health.  Colorado has several laws that give you the right to get medically accurate sex ed, contraception and condoms.  Keep reading for more info and be sure to check out Sex Etc. Sex in the States for even more!

Sexuality Education

Age of Consent

Getting Birth Control

Abortion

and More

Sexuality Education

Colorado law doesn’t require schools to teach sex ed, but if your school does provide sex ed it is required to be:

• Science-based (it’s been researched and shown to delay when teens start having sex or increase the use of condoms & contraception)

• Medically Accurate

• Age Appropriate

• Cover both abstinence and contraception as a way to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

If you think the sex ed in your school does not meet these standards – Speak up and Be Heard!

Age of Consent

The age of consent is defined as the time you are old enough to legally consent or agree to sex.  In Colorado you can legally consent to sex at 17 years old.

Getting Birth Control

All minors are allowed to get a birth control prescription without parental permission. Title X clinics can provide confidential services and do other things like pregnancy and STI testing, and reproductive health counseling.  Go to our interactive map and click on your county to find one near you.

Abortion

If you are under 18 years old you are required to have “parental notification” to get an abortion.  This is not the same as parental permission -  a parent or guardian just has to know what’s going on.  If you are not able to notify a parent or guardian, you can ask a judge for permission.

What to know more . . .

Sex Etc., Sex in the States CO profile

The Guttmacher Institute CO profile (click on State Policies)

Advocates for Youth – Info on Sex Ed in Colorado

SIECUS – More info on Sex Ed in Colorado and other data