The short answer: you can walk into your local Colorado courthouse today, fill out a sworn complaint, and ask a judge — without the other person present — to issue a Temporary Civil Protection Order. If the judge grants it, a full hearing is automatically scheduled within 14 days. No attorney is required, and if your case involves domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, there is no filing fee at all.
Here is exactly how the process works under Colorado law.
What Is a Civil Protection Order in Colorado?
In Colorado, what most people call a "restraining order" is formally called a civil protection order (CPO). It is a court order that can prohibit a person from contacting you, coming near your home or workplace, approaching your children's school, or engaging in other specified conduct. It is a civil proceeding — entirely separate from any criminal case — and it is governed by C.R.S. Title 13, Article 14.
Colorado civil protection orders cover four categories of conduct:
- Domestic abuse
- Stalking
- Sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact
- Abuse of an at-risk adult or elder
One point that surprises many people: a domestic relationship is not required. A neighbor, coworker, or stranger can be the subject of a Colorado civil protection order depending on the conduct involved.
Who Can Be Restrained — and Which Courts Handle It
Colorado courts can issue civil protection orders against any adult or any juvenile who is 10 years of age or older. County courts, district courts, juvenile courts, probate courts, and authorized municipal courts of record all have concurrent jurisdiction, meaning you are not limited to one specific type of courthouse. You can file in whichever qualifying court is most convenient for your situation.
The Three Types of Colorado Protection Orders
Emergency Protection Order (EPO)
An EPO is issued when the court is unavailable — typically through law enforcement — to prevent domestic abuse or an unlawful sexual offense. It is the fastest protection available but also the shortest-lived: an EPO expires no later than the close of the next day of judicial business unless the court continues it. If you receive an EPO, go to the courthouse as soon as it opens to seek a Temporary Civil Protection Order before the EPO lapses.
Temporary Civil Protection Order (TPO)
A TPO is the order most people seek at the courthouse. It is issued ex parte — meaning the judge reviews your verified complaint alone, without the other person present or even notified in advance. The judge evaluates your sworn statement and, if sufficient cause is found, issues the order on the spot.
Time-sensitive: Once a TPO is issued, Colorado law requires the court to set the permanent hearing (the return date) no more than 14 days later. That deadline is fixed by statute. Watch your paperwork carefully — missing the hearing can affect your protection.
Permanent Protection Order (PPO)
A PPO is the outcome of the full hearing, not the first step. To grant a PPO, the court must find by a preponderance of the evidence — more likely than not — that the respondent committed conduct that qualifies for an order and that the conduct will likely continue, or that the respondent is likely to intimidate or retaliate. Critically, the court does not need to find that you are in imminent danger.
If the respondent was properly served and simply does not show up to the hearing, the court may issue the PPO by default.
A Permanent Protection Order has no expiration date. However, a respondent who wants to ask the court to dismiss a PPO must generally wait 2 years before making that request — for orders issued on or after July 1, 2013. For orders issued before that date, the waiting period is 4 years. As an alternative, both parties may agree at the hearing to simply continue the temporary order for up to one year rather than proceeding to a full PPO.
Where to File and What It Costs
You may file your protection order case in any Colorado county where:
- The alleged incident occurred, or
- You reside or are employed, or
- The respondent resides or is employed.
This flexibility matters. If the incident happened in a different county from where you live, you still have options close to home.
Filing fees: The standard civil filing fee is $95. However, there is no filing fee if your protection order request is based on domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You pay nothing upfront in those situations.
Forms are available free through the Colorado Judicial Branch (coloradojudicial.gov). The key document is a verified complaint — a sworn statement you sign under penalty of perjury describing the specific acts and why you need protection.
What You Can Do in Colorado: Step-by-Step
- Go to the courthouse. Visit your local county or district courthouse and ask the clerk for civil protection order forms. If the court is closed and you are in immediate danger, contact law enforcement — officers can request an Emergency Protection Order on your behalf, though it expires quickly (see above).
- Complete the verified complaint. Describe specific acts — dates, locations, exact words or threats, physical contact. Concrete detail helps the judge assess your situation. The clerk can point you to self-help resources but cannot give legal advice.
- Appear before the judge (ex parte). You will typically be called before a judge the same day or the next business day. The respondent is not present. The judge reads your complaint, may ask questions, and decides whether to issue the TPO.
- Receive the TPO and note your hearing date. The court will give you a certified copy and set your permanent hearing — remember, that date must fall within 14 days. Put it in your calendar immediately.
- Confirm that the respondent gets served. The TPO must be formally served on the respondent before the permanent hearing. In most situations, law enforcement handles service. Ask the clerk how this will be arranged and follow up to confirm it happened.
- Prepare for the permanent hearing. Gather everything relevant: text messages, emails, photographs, medical records, and names of witnesses. The respondent will have the right to appear and tell their side. The judge applies the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.
- Receive the PPO if granted. Keep your certified copy with you at all times and store a backup somewhere safe so you can show it to responding officers if you ever need to enforce it.
Your Colorado Order Is Valid Nationwide
Under federal law — specifically 18 U.S.C. § 2265 — a valid protection order issued by any state, tribe, or territory must be honored and enforced in every other state, tribe, and territory as if it were issued there. If you relocate to another state or the restrained person crosses state lines, your Colorado order travels with you and carries the same legal force.
Federal law goes further: it is a federal crime to cross state lines to stalk a partner or to violate a protection order (18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A, 2262). Colorado's civil protection order system is backed by federal criminal enforcement as a floor beneath state law.
Frequently Overlooked Details
Can the order protect my children?
Yes. A protection order can include provisions covering your minor children — prohibiting the restrained person from contacting them or approaching their school or daycare. Raise this explicitly with the judge at both hearings if it applies to your situation.
What if the respondent violates the order?
Call 911. Show responding officers your certified copy of the order. A violation can result in arrest, contempt of court, and criminal charges. Do not attempt to handle a violation yourself.
Can I get the order modified later?
Either party can ask the court that issued the order to modify it. You file a motion and attend a hearing. If your circumstances change — the threat escalates, or alternatively the situation resolves — the court can adjust the order's terms accordingly.
What if I need help filling out the forms?
The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains self-help centers at many courthouses and publishes official instructions (JDF 400) on its website. Domestic violence organizations also provide free assistance with paperwork; the clerk's office can provide referrals. You do not need to navigate this alone even without an attorney.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice; consult a licensed Colorado attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
