How to Get a Restraining Order in Colorado
In Colorado these are called Civil Protection Order (temporary and permanent); Emergency Protection Order; Extreme Risk Protection Order. A protective order is a court order that tells someone to stop abusing, threatening, stalking or contacting you. Here is how to ask for one, what happens next, and where to get free help — each rule linked to the statute or official court page.
Quick answers for Colorado
- Cost
- No filing fee for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault (sexual violence) or stalking; otherwise the filing fee is $95, and fee waivers are available. Certified copies are free for petitioners under the statute. C.R.S. § 13-14-109; JDF 400
- Emergency / temporary orders
- A temporary civil protection order can be issued at a hearing that may be held without the other person (ex parte), set at the earliest possible time. It lasts until the permanent order hearing. C.R.S. §§ 13-14-103, 13-14-104.5(4),(8)
- How long an order lasts
- A permanent civil protection order stays in effect until a court modifies or dismisses it. For orders filed on or after July 1, 2013, the restrained person cannot ask to dismiss it until two years after it was issued (or after the last motion was decided). Colorado Judicial self-help, Protection Orders
- Where to ask
- File in county court (or district, probate, juvenile, or authorized municipal court) in any county where the incident happened, where either party lives, or where either party works, or file into an existing case. C.R.S. §§ 13-14-103, 13-14-104.5(1),(3); JDF 400
Last verified: 2026-10-25
Safety first
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- You can talk to a trained advocate any time, for free and confidentially, through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Advocates can help you make a safety plan and fill out the court forms. Many courts have advocates on site.
- Keep copies of the order with you. Give copies to people who need to know, such as your workplace or your child's school.
Getting an order
| Types of orders | Civil protection orders (temporary and permanent) to prevent assaults and threatened bodily harm, domestic abuse, emotional abuse of an elderly or at-risk adult, sexual violence, and stalking. Emergency protection orders are available from an on-call judge when courts are closed. Extreme risk protection orders (firearm removal) are a separate process. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (uncertified printout, Office of Legislative Legal Services). |
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| Who can ask for an order | Anyone who needs protection for one of the listed purposes can file; domestic abuse orders cover acts by a person you are or were related to, or live or lived with, and can protect minor children of either party. You do not have to have reported to police or have criminal charges filed. An extreme risk protection order can be requested by a family or household member, a community member, or law enforcement. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (uncertified printout, Office of Legislative Legal Services). |
| Where to ask | File in county court (or district, probate, juvenile, or authorized municipal court) in any county where the incident happened, where either party lives, or where either party works, or file into an existing case. When courts are closed, police can contact an on-call judge for an emergency protection order. |
| Cost | No filing fee for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault (sexual violence) or stalking; otherwise the filing fee is $95, and fee waivers are available. Certified copies are free for petitioners under the statute. Public agencies may not charge DV, stalking, or sexual violence victims for service. The judge may make the restrained person pay fees. JDF 400 lists a $20 certified-copy fee; statute says copies are provided at no cost to petitioners. Source: C.R.S. § 13-14-109; JDF 400 |
Emergency orders and the hearing
| Emergency / temporary orders | A temporary civil protection order can be issued at a hearing that may be held without the other person (ex parte), set at the earliest possible time. It lasts until the permanent order hearing. An emergency protection order from an on-call judge expires at the close of the next court business day unless continued. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (uncertified printout, Office of Legislative Legal Services). |
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| Serving the order | The restrained person must be personally served with the complaint, temporary order and citation by the sheriff, a process server, or an adult non-party. Public agencies may not charge DV, stalking or sexual violence victims for service. If the restrained person is at the permanent hearing, the court gives them a copy. |
| The court hearing | The permanent protection order hearing must be set no more than 14 days after the temporary order is issued. If the restrained person cannot be served in time, the court extends the temporary order and continues the hearing. If you miss the permanent hearing, the temporary order expires. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (uncertified printout, Office of Legislative Legal Services). |
| How long an order lasts | A permanent civil protection order stays in effect until a court modifies or dismisses it. For orders filed on or after July 1, 2013, the restrained person cannot ask to dismiss it until two years after it was issued (or after the last motion was decided). |
What the order does
| What an order can require | Orders can limit contact and set minimum distances; prohibit threats, stalking and harassment; keep the restrained person away from your home, school and work; exclude them from a shared home (they may return once with police to get personal items); address temporary care of children, parenting time and decision-making; protect animals; and transfer your cell phone number to your own account. |
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| Firearms | If the order involves domestic violence with the threat, use or attempted use of physical force, the court must order the respondent not to possess or buy firearms or ammunition and to relinquish them for the duration of the order: within 24 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) if served in court, or 48 hours if served outside court. A compliance hearing is scheduled. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (uncertified printout, Office of Legislative Legal Services). Source: C.R.S. § 13-14-105.5 |
| If the order is violated | Violating a civil protection order is contempt of court and can be prosecuted as the crime of violation of a protection order. The protected person cannot give permission to violate the order; only the court can change it. Crime classification under C.R.S. § 18-6-803. |
Children and privacy
| Minors and children | Orders can protect minor children of either party, and civil protection orders can be issued against a juvenile 10 or older. A parent or legal guardian may ask to modify or dismiss an order for a minor protected person. |
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Forms and help in Colorado
- Colorado courts: protective order help
- Official Colorado protective order forms
- Violence Free Colorado (statewide domestic violence coalition)
- Free legal aid in Colorado
Colorado protective order FAQ
What kinds of protective orders are available in Colorado?
Civil protection orders (temporary and permanent) to prevent assaults and threatened bodily harm, domestic abuse, emotional abuse of an elderly or at-risk adult, sexual violence, and stalking. Emergency protection orders are available from an on-call judge when courts are closed. Extreme risk protection orders (firearm removal) are a separate process.
Who can get a restraining order in Colorado?
Anyone who needs protection for one of the listed purposes can file; domestic abuse orders cover acts by a person you are or were related to, or live or lived with, and can protect minor children of either party. You do not have to have reported to police or have criminal charges filed. An extreme risk protection order can be requested by a family or household member, a community member, or law enforcement.
Where do I file for a restraining order in Colorado?
File in county court (or district, probate, juvenile, or authorized municipal court) in any county where the incident happened, where either party lives, or where either party works, or file into an existing case. When courts are closed, police can contact an on-call judge for an emergency protection order.
Does it cost money to get a restraining order in Colorado?
No filing fee for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault (sexual violence) or stalking; otherwise the filing fee is $95, and fee waivers are available. Certified copies are free for petitioners under the statute. Public agencies may not charge DV, stalking, or sexual violence victims for service. The judge may make the restrained person pay fees.
How fast can I get an emergency protective order in Colorado?
A temporary civil protection order can be issued at a hearing that may be held without the other person (ex parte), set at the earliest possible time. It lasts until the permanent order hearing. An emergency protection order from an on-call judge expires at the close of the next court business day unless continued.
What happens at the restraining order hearing in Colorado?
The permanent protection order hearing must be set no more than 14 days after the temporary order is issued. If the restrained person cannot be served in time, the court extends the temporary order and continues the hearing. If you miss the permanent hearing, the temporary order expires.
How long does a restraining order last in Colorado?
A permanent civil protection order stays in effect until a court modifies or dismisses it. For orders filed on or after July 1, 2013, the restrained person cannot ask to dismiss it until two years after it was issued (or after the last motion was decided).
What can a protective order do in Colorado?
Orders can limit contact and set minimum distances; prohibit threats, stalking and harassment; keep the restrained person away from your home, school and work; exclude them from a shared home (they may return once with police to get personal items); address temporary care of children, parenting time and decision-making; protect animals; and transfer your cell phone number to your own account.
Does a protective order affect firearms in Colorado?
If the order involves domestic violence with the threat, use or attempted use of physical force, the court must order the respondent not to possess or buy firearms or ammunition and to relinquish them for the duration of the order: within 24 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) if served in court, or 48 hours if served outside court. A compliance hearing is scheduled.
How is a restraining order served in Colorado?
The restrained person must be personally served with the complaint, temporary order and citation by the sheriff, a process server, or an adult non-party. Public agencies may not charge DV, stalking or sexual violence victims for service. If the restrained person is at the permanent hearing, the court gives them a copy.
What happens if someone violates a protective order in Colorado?
Violating a civil protection order is contempt of court and can be prosecuted as the crime of violation of a protection order. The protected person cannot give permission to violate the order; only the court can change it.
Can a minor get a restraining order in Colorado?
Orders can protect minor children of either party, and civil protection orders can be issued against a juvenile 10 or older. A parent or legal guardian may ask to modify or dismiss an order for a minor protected person.
Protective orders in other states
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.