Colorado “Pandering” Laws & Penalties (§ 18-7-203 CRS)

What is pandering of a prostitute?

In Colorado, pandering is the crime of taking money to arrange for someone to hire a prostitute. It is what we commonly think of as pimping.

Pandering is usually a misdemeanor in Colorado, punishable by up to 120 days in jail.

However, pandering can be charged as a felony when:

• Menace or intimidation is used, or
• The prostitute is under age 18.

As a felony, pandering can carry a sentence of up to 3 years in a Colorado state prison.

To help you better understand the Colorado crime of pandering, our Colorado criminal defense lawyers discuss the following, below:

• 1. The difference between pandering and pimping
• 2. Sentencing
  • 2.1. Felony pandering
  • 2.2. Misdemeanor pandering
  • 2.3. Additional consequences
  • 2.4. Pandering of a child under 18
• 3. Defense Strategies

Pandering is usually a misdemeanor in Colorado, punishable by up to 120 days in jail.

1. The difference between pandering and pimping

In Colorado, what we often think of pimping is actually the crime of pandering. Section 18-7-203 (1) C.R.S. defines pandering as follows:

Any person who does any of the following for money or other thing of value commits pandering:

• • (a) Inducing a person by menacing or criminal intimidation to commit prostitution; or
  • (b) Knowingly arranging or offering to arrange a situation in which a person may practice prostitution.

Pimping, 18-7-206 C.R.S., on the other hand, involves knowingly living in whole or in part on money made by another person working as a prostitute.

It is possible to be charged with both pandering and pimping.

2. Sentencing

2.1. Felony pandering

Pandering is a Colorado class 5 felony if you use menace or intimidation to induce another person to commit prostitution. Felony punishment for pandering can include:

• 1-3 years in prison, and/or
• A fine of $1,000-$100,000.

2.2. Misdemeanor pandering

Knowingly arranging a situation in which a person may practice prostitution is a Colorado class 2 misdemeanor. Consequences of misdemeanor pandering can include:

• Up to 120 days in jail, and/or
• A fine of up to $750.

2.3. Additional consequences of Colorado pandering

In addition to the criminal penalties set forth above, a conviction for pandering subjects you to a mandatory fine of between $5,000 and $10,000. Such fine will go to Colorado’s prostitution enforcement cash fund.¹

2.4. Pandering of a child under 18

Pandering of a child under 18 is an exceptionally serious felony under 18-7-403 C.R.S. In addition to the possibility of decades in prison, pandering of a child requires you to register as a Colorado sex offender.

For more information, please see our article on 18-7-403 C.R.S., pandering of a child under 18.

3. Defense Strategies

There are numerous defenses to pandering in Colorado. Common ones include (but are not limited to):

• You have been falsely accused,
• You didn’t receive anything of value,
• You didn’t menace or intimidate anyone,
• You didn’t know you were introducing someone to a prostitute,
• Entrapment or other police misconduct.

For Additional Help…

You can reach us by filling out the form on this page, or call us at our convenient Denver home office:

Colorado Legal Defense Group
4047 Tejon Street
Denver, CO 80211

In California? Go to our article on California pandering laws (Penal Code 266h & 266i PC).

In Nevada? See our article on Nevada pandering laws (NRS 201.300(1)).

Legal references: