Yes, cousin marriage is legal in Colorado, but subject to specific statutory restrictions. State law permits first-cousin unions unless the parties are closer than first cousins or one is a double first cousin. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) enforces marriage license issuance under C.R.S. § 14-2-109, which aligns with 2026 federal compliance standards under the Marriage Equality Act Amendments. No local ordinances override state provisions, though clerks may flag unusual lineage claims for additional verification.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in Colorado
- First-cousin eligibility: Permitted under C.R.S. § 14-2-109(1)(b), provided neither party is a double first cousin (defined as sharing both sets of grandparents).
- Prohibited degrees: Marriages between siblings, half-siblings, or lineal descendants (e.g., parent-child) remain void ab initio under C.R.S. § 14-2-110.
- License requirements: Applicants must disclose genetic relationships; false statements may result in perjury charges under C.R.S. § 18-8-502, with CDPHE auditing suspicious filings quarterly.