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A former instructor at a Colorado Springs community college is facing 77 felony counts of sexual assault after allegedly using his position of academic authority to manipulate a minor student into a prolonged sexual relationship spanning more than a year.
Jason Gunderson, 48, is the Pikes Peak State College Instructor Accused of Sexual Assault of a Child in Colorado Springs who was arrested by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Gunderson faces 77 counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. His first court appearance was scheduled for April 7, 2026.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, investigators were contacted in February 2026 about alleged inappropriate sexual contact between Gunderson and a minor student at Pikes Peak State College. Investigators determined that Gunderson allegedly used his role as a professor and his connections in Colorado Springs to manipulate the alleged victim into the relationship — which investigators believe lasted for more than a year. Gunderson allegedly promised the minor student access to a valued internship, offered special attention, and manipulated the student's grades to produce artificially higher exam scores as part of the alleged pattern of manipulation.
Pikes Peak State College confirmed that Gunderson has not been employed at the institution since June 2025 and stated it is cooperating with law enforcement. Investigators stated they do not currently believe there are additional victims in the community.
The factual information above was sourced from koaa.com as of June 10, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a college instructor is accused of using academic influence to sexually abuse a student, survivors may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Colorado sexual abuse attorney Dan Lipman about the civil legal avenues that may be available in cases involving alleged sexual abuse by a person in a position of academic authority.
Paul Amess: Dan, when a college instructor is accused of using their academic position to manipulate and sexually abuse a student, what civil legal options may be available?
Dan Lipman: Cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of a student by a college instructor are among the most serious civil matters we handle. When an educator allegedly uses academic incentives — grades, internships, special access — as tools of manipulation, it raises significant questions about institutional accountability alongside the individual liability. Colleges and universities have a duty to protect students from those in positions of authority over them, and when an instructor allegedly exploits that authority, the institution's oversight practices become relevant in any civil legal evaluation.
Paul Amess: In cases where the alleged abuse spanned more than a year, what does that mean for the civil legal landscape?
Dan Lipman: A prolonged period of alleged abuse raises important questions about institutional awareness and response. The longer alleged conduct continues, the more relevant the question becomes of whether the institution had any opportunity to identify and intervene before the alleged harm compounded. Survivors and their families should speak with an experienced attorney to understand how the duration and circumstances of alleged conduct may factor into their specific situation.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor in Colorado who was allegedly abused by someone in an academic position of trust?
Dan Lipman: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims in Colorado, and early action gives survivors the strongest possible foundation. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no survivor should face this process alone.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual assault or abuse by a college instructor, professor, or any person in a position of academic authority in Colorado, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Colorado sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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