Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-6-201. Bigamy

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) Any married person who, while still married, marries, enters into a civil union, or cohabits in this state with another person commits bigamy, unless as an affirmative defense it appears that at the time of the cohabitation, subsequent marriage, or subsequent civil union:

(a) The accused reasonably believed the prior spouse to be dead; or

(b) The prior spouse had been continually absent for a period of five years during which time the accused did not know the prior spouse to be alive; or

(c) The accused reasonably believed that he or she was legally eligible to remarry or legally eligible to enter into a civil union.

(1.5) Any person who is a partner in a civil union, while still legally in a civil union, who marries, enters into another civil union, or cohabits in the state with another person other than a current partner in a civil union, commits bigamy, unless as an affirmative defense it appears that at the time of the cohabitation or subsequent marriage or subsequent civil union:

(a) The accused reasonably believed the prior partner to be dead; or

(b) The prior partner had been continually absent for a period of five years during which time the accused did not know the prior partner to be alive; or

(c) The accused reasonably believed that he or she was legally eligible to marry or legally eligible to enter into a civil union.

(2) Bigamy is a class 2 misdemeanor.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-6-201. Bigamy - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-6-201/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard