DENVER, Colo. -- By January 2009, rape centers across the country must offer anonymous rape exams dubbed "Jane Doe rape kits."

As it stands in Colorado, victims must first report the crime to police and then police will request and pay for the exam.

Now, a victim can opt to have the exam, have the evidence stored for up to two years and the state will pay for it. States who don't comply risk losing funding, under the federal Violence Against Women Act, which provides tax dollars for women's shelters and law enforcement training.

The test itself consists of microscope slides, boxes and plastic bags for storing skin, hair, blood, saliva or semen gathered by a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, or SANE.

Denver SANE nurse Anissa Jones said the real advantage is that victims now have time to think about reporting the crime versus needing to report the crime to get the exam.

On average, Jones said St. Anthony's program in Denver sees a little over 200 rape cases a year.

Denver's Rape & Assistance Program said in the state only 16 percent of sexual assault cases are actually reported.

Rape & Assistance case manager Marti Tidwell said she hopes this new legislation will increase that number by giving victim's more options and thus more control of their situation.