Divorce cases today involve more than property and parenting—they often include a digital trail of misconduct. In Colorado, courts are seeing a rise in divorce cases involving revenge porn, social media harassment, and the unauthorized sharing of intimate images. These actions carry not only emotional harm, but also serious criminal consequences.
What Is Revenge Porn Under Colorado Law?
Revenge porn is formally known as the “unlawful dissemination of an intimate image”, defined in CRS § 18-7-107. It occurs when someone shares or publishes a sexually explicit image of another person without their consent, often after a breakup or during a contentious divorce.
Key elements include:
- The image was intended to remain private
- The subject had a reasonable expectation of privacy
- The image was shared to cause harm, embarrassment, or distress
This offense is a class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado and may result in fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
How It Affects Divorce Proceedings
Although revenge porn is prosecuted in criminal court, it can severely affect a parallel divorce case. If one spouse is accused—or convicted—of digital harassment, it may influence:
- Custody and parenting time under CRS § 14-10-124
- Credibility and character assessments in family court
- Restraining or protection orders, especially when abuse is ongoing
- Division of assets, particularly if misconduct involved shared devices or accounts
Judges are increasingly sensitive to digital abuse, especially when children are indirectly exposed.
Digital Harassment Beyond Images
Revenge porn is only one form of digital misconduct. Others include:
- Harassing messages via text, social media, or email
- Impersonation or doxxing
- Accessing a spouse’s private accounts without permission
- Threats or coercive control using shared digital devices
In Colorado, these behaviors may fall under harassment (CRS § 18-9-111) or stalking laws (CRS § 18-3-602), both of which can carry criminal penalties.
Evidence and Enforcement
If you’re experiencing digital abuse during divorce, it’s critical to:
- Preserve evidence (screenshots, messages, timestamps)
- Avoid retaliatory behavior that could backfire in court
- Speak to a lawyer about requesting a civil protection order under CRS § 13-14-104.5
Digital evidence often becomes central in both criminal and family court, and early documentation can be key to outcomes.
Protecting Your Rights and Reputation
At Boal Law, we understand that digital abuse isn’t just “online drama”—it’s real harm with legal consequences. Whether you’re the victim of revenge porn or facing allegations tied to digital misconduct, we help you:
- Navigate the criminal implications
- Safeguard your privacy and digital footprint
- Protect your parenting rights and reputation in family court
The Internet Doesn’t Forget—But Courts Can Act
Once a photo is shared, it may be impossible to fully erase. But Colorado courts can take swift action to stop the harm, hold abusers accountable, and ensure digital misconduct is reflected in divorce outcomes.
If you’re going through a divorce and concerned about online abuse or revenge porn, Boal Law offers clear, strategic guidance in both criminal defense and family law. Don’t wait—your safety, reputation, and parental rights may depend on early intervention.