Denver, CO Privacy & Surveillance: Recording & Consent Laws (2026)

Colorado is a one-party consent state for recording conversations. Under CRS 18-9-303, a person may record a conversation as long as at least one party to the conversation consents. This means you can legally record your own phone calls, in-person conversations, and video chats without notifying the other party, as long as you are a participant. However, eavesdropping — using electronic devices to record or listen to conversations you are not a party to and where no party has consented — is a class 6 felony under CRS 18-9-304, punishable by 12-18 months in prison and fines of $1,000-$100,000. Colorado law also prohibits recording in places where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathrooms, changing rooms, bedrooms) under CRS 18-7-801 (criminal invasion of privacy). This applies regardless of consent. Video recording in public places without audio does not require consent. If recording across state lines, the stricter state's law may apply, so recording calls with parties in two-party consent states like Washington or California requires all-party consent.