Understand the process. Preserve the distinctions.

The official 2026 text of C.R.S. §18-3-401(1.5) defines consent through cooperation, free will and knowledge of the nature of the act. A current or previous relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent; submission under fear is not consent. Subsection (3) defines “physically helpless” to include being unconscious, asleep or otherwise unable to indicate willingness to act. Read the actual text, including qualifications, on original pages 905–906 (local excerpt pages 1–2).

C.R.S. §18-3-402(1)(a) addresses knowing nonconsensual conduct. Subsection (1)(b) addresses an actor who knows the person cannot appraise the nature of their conduct; subsection (1)(h) addresses known physical helplessness without consent. Subsection (4)(d) addresses substantially impairing someone’s power to appraise or control their conduct through a drug, intoxicant or other means without consent for the purpose of causing submission. These provisions have distinct elements. An allegation of drugging is not proof of toxicological confirmation. The official text begins on original page 911 (local excerpt page 7).

A criminal prosecution requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. C.R.S. §13-25-127(1) generally sets a preponderance-of-the-evidence burden in civil actions, subject to exceptions; subsection (2) sets a beyond-reasonable-doubt requirement for exemplary damages under its terms. A university proceeding applies its governing policy and procedures. The written university decision and applicable procedure version have not been obtained, so this archive does not certify the exact standard CSU applied in this case.

A report to police, an investigation, a referral to a prosecutor, a filed charge and a conviction are different stages. CBS reports that police did not formally submit the investigation for criminal charges. It does not establish a criminal acquittal, conviction or judicial finding about the allegation.

A civil complaint asks a court for relief; it does not prove its own allegations. Claims involving a fraternity, landowner or premises may require analysis of duty, control, notice, causation and the applicable statute, including C.R.S. §13-21-115 where relevant. The Coloradoan describes the complaint’s claims, but the original pleading is still needed for a complete legal analysis.

University findings concern institutional rules and remedies. They do not substitute for a criminal verdict or bind all civil liability questions. CSU confirmed a finding and one-year suspension to CBS; the Coloradoan reports that the appeal upheld the outcome. Written decisions are not available in this archive. CBS reports that CSU is not a defendant in the civil lawsuit.

Reporting to a university, seeking confidential advocacy, obtaining medical care and reporting to police are distinct options. Ask each office about mandatory reporting, confidentiality, accommodations, preservation requests and participation requirements. You can explore support before deciding which formal route, if any, to pursue. Immediate safety and medical needs come first.

Title IX addresses sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. The Clery Act framework concerns campus safety policies, crime statistics, warnings and related disclosures. Regulatory requirements and effective dates must be checked against official sources and controlling court orders. A statistical disclosure is not an adjudication of a specific person’s conduct.

Preserve original messages and documents without altering them. Public-records access can be limited by privacy protections, sealed filings, student-record rules and statutory exemptions. Ask the appropriate custodian for segregable public records and a written explanation of withholding. Never upload someone else’s medical records or identifying survivor information to a public site. Court admissibility is a separate question from public availability.

Ask a qualified advocate or lawyer about applicable Colorado victim-rights protections, protection orders, accommodations and civil deadlines. Which rights attach depends on the proceeding and individual circumstances. Support organizations can help explain options without this archive determining whether a particular legal remedy applies.