Colorado was one of the first states to develop a collaborative statewide approach to managing sex offenders. Its "guiding principles" are blunt.

1. Sexual offending is a behavioral disorder that cannot be "cured."

2. Sex offenders are dangerous.

3. Community safety is paramount.

4. Assessment and evaluation of sex offenders is an ongoing process. Progress in treatment and level of risk are not constant over time.

5. Assignment to community supervision is a privilege, and sex offenders must be completely accountable for their behaviors.

6. Sex offenders must waive confidentiality for evaluation, treatment, supervision, and case management purposes.

7. Victims have a right to safety and self-determination.

8. When a child is sexually abused within the family, the child's individual need for safety, protection, developmental growth and psychological well-being outweighs any parental or family interests.

9. A continuum of sex offender management and treatment options should be available in each community in the state.

10. Standards and guidelines for assessment, evaluation, treatment and behavioral monitoring of sex offenders will be most effective if the entirety of the criminal justice and social services systems, not just sex offender treatment providers, apply the same principles and work together.

11. The management of sex offenders requires a coordinated team response.

12. Sex offender assessment, evaluation, treatment and behavioral monitoring should be nondiscriminatory and humane, and bound by the rules of ethics and law.

13. Successful treatment and management of sex offenders is enhanced by the positive cooperation of family, friends, employers and members of the community who have influence in sex offenders' lives.