The Dress Code for Visiting Colorado State Penitentiary: What 'No Shorter Than the Top of the Knee' Really Means
Colorado State Penitentiary enforces a specific dress code for visits, and the "top of the knee" rule trips people up more than you'd expect. Here's how to translate the wording into outfits that won't get you turned away at the door.
For pants, the rule is straightforward: wear them the way they're designed to be worn. Sagging, even slightly, can get you stopped at the door or told to fix it before continuing. Choose a waistband that stays put when you walk, sit, and stand. Skip anything that needs constant pulling up.
"No shorter than the top of the knee" is measured while standing. Not sitting, not with one leg bent. When you're upright, the hem should hit the top of your knee or fall below it. If it rides above that point when you stand normally, it doesn't pass.
Upper-body coverage is judged by how your shirt fits in motion, not just how it looks in the mirror. Your top can't expose cleavage, your back, or your midriff at any point. That includes when you're sitting or bending. Before you leave home, test your outfit: sit down, lean forward, reach for something. Make sure nothing opens up or rides up.
Video visit reminder: Nudity is not permitted during video visits. Children also must be fully clothed at all times.
Break the visitation rules and your visit can be cut short. After review by the administrative head, violations can also result in a visitor suspension: 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second, and one year for a third. If you're unsure whether something meets the dress code, change before you leave home. It's not worth losing the visit and facing a suspension.
Practical Examples
- ✓ Pants that sit at your waist or hips and stay there without sagging
- ✓ A knee-length (or longer) skirt or dress that reaches the top of your knee while you are standing
- ✓ A top that fully covers your cleavage line, back, and midriff even when you sit down or bend forward
- ✓ An outfit you have “movement-tested” at home (sit, stand, lean) to confirm nothing shows
- ✓ Sagging pants, even if you plan to pull them up once you arrive (this can get you stopped before you ever reach the visiting area)
- ✓ A skirt or dress that sits above the top of your knee while standing, even if it looks fine when you’re seated
- ✓ Tops that show cleavage, expose your back, or reveal your midriff when you sit or bend down
- ✓ Any nudity during a video visit, including a child who is not fully clothed (video visits can be terminated, and repeated violations can lead to suspensions)
Quick tip: When in doubt, go longer on skirts and dresses, and choose tops with fuller coverage. The knee-length rule is measured while standing. Upper-body coverage has to hold up while sitting and bending too.
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