An instructor at Pikes Peak State College was arrested last weekend and now faces 77 felony counts that accuse him of having a sexual relationship with a minor student, according to law enforcement. Jason Gunderson, 48, was taken into custody at his home on March 27 and booked into the El Paso County jail, where he is being held on $50,000 bond. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the alleged conduct stretched for more than a year and involved promises of a coveted internship and manipulation of grades to benefit the student. The county's special victims unit opened the case after a call to the regional communications center in mid-February.
Sheriff Outlines Allegations
In a detailed post, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said Gunderson "engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor student over a period exceeding one year" and has been charged with 77 counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. Investigators say he used his role as a professor and his community connections to manipulate the victim, allegedly dangling the possibility of a prestigious internship and altering grades to secure high exam scores. Detectives with the sheriff's special victims unit arrested Gunderson at his home on March 27 and booked him into the county jail, according to the post.
College Records Show Instructor's Role
Pikes Peak State College lists Jason Gunderson in its public records as an American Sign Language instructor, appearing on faculty rosters and division charts. Those commencement materials and organizational charts identify him with the ASL and interpreter-prep programs. The listings serve as a public record of his role at the college while investigators pursue the criminal case.
What the Charges Mean
Colorado law labels "sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust" as a felony under C.R.S. 18-3-405.3, as summarized by Justia. Penalties increase when prosecutors can show a pattern of abuse or that the victim was younger at the time of the alleged crimes. A conviction can require sex-offender registration and can expose a defendant to prison time, depending on the felony level. With dozens of counts on the table, both sides can be expected to spend months wrangling over pretrial motions and evidence before any trial date is set.
Next Steps in the Case
Gunderson remains booked at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center and is being held on the $50,000 bond noted in the sheriff’s post. The EPC Sheriff’s Office did not list a court date, and the special victims unit says the investigation is ongoing. Upcoming filings, hearing dates, and any formal charges will appear in court records as the case moves forward through the criminal justice system.
