How do I Get a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Colorado?
Recently updated on February 6th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Overview
A Domestic Violence Restraining Order is a legal measure designed to protect individuals who have experienced abuse or threats of abuse from a family or household member. It serves as a crucial tool in safeguarding victims of domestic violence and ensuring their safety and well-being.
To obtain a restraining order, the victim must file paperwork at their local courthouse, typically in the county where they reside. This paperwork usually includes a written statement explaining the need for protection and may require supporting evidence, such as photos of injuries, witness statements, or police reports documenting instances of abuse or threats.
Once granted by the court, a restraining order sets forth specific rules and restrictions aimed at keeping the victim safe from further harm. These rules commonly prohibit the abuser from contacting or harassing the victim, visiting their home, workplace, or children’s schools, and may establish boundaries regarding communication and interaction.
Restraining orders typically have a specified duration, which can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court. While some orders may be temporary, lasting for a few months, others may be granted for a longer period, such as one year. In cases where ongoing protection is necessary, victims have the option to seek renewal of the restraining order to maintain their safety.
Definition of Domestic Violence in Colorado
CRS § 18-6-803.5 In Colorado, for a civil protection order, domestic abuse occurs when someone you have a specific relationship with does any of the following:
- Commits violence, stalking, harassment, or coercion against you.
- Commits violence against your children under 18 or any owned animal with the intent to coerce, control, punish, intimidate, or seek revenge.
- Coercion involves using force or threats to make you do something you have the right not to do or to prevent you from doing something you have the right to do.
Comparison with Criminal Case
If you’re victims of domestic violence, then you can file the following legal cases:
- Criminal Case: In a criminal case, the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest burden of proof.
- Domestic Violence RestrainingOrder: This is considered a family law case, and the victim has to give some evidence and generally the burden is low and the victim must establish “reasonable proof of a past act or acts of abuse”. For Domestic Violence Restraining Order, you just need evidence to support that abuse occurred which is defined as bodily injury or fear that you will get bodily injury.
The court considers accusations of abuse leniently, and favors on issuing orders as long as there is some evidence.
Does my situation qualify for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO)?
Here’s a summary of the different types of restraining orders. There are a few different types of restraining orders and typically only one of them may apply to your situation. The first step is to see if any of the different types of restraining order applies to your situation or is remotely related as that might help you decide whether to apply .
The types are:
1. Domestic Violence Order of Protection
This court order protects a person who has been abused by a family or household member or by a current or former sexual or intimate partner as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-14-104.5.
2. Stalking Order of Protection
This court order protects a person who has been stalked as defined by Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-602. The person who wants protection (“the plaintiff”) files the case against the other party (“the defendant”). There does not need to be a special relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant. A person who has been stalked by a family member, household member, or current or former intimate partner might also qualify for a Domestic Violence Order of Protection.
3. Civil Protection Order
This court order tells someone (“the defendant”) to stay away from or to stop an action that directly affects the person asking for the order (“the plaintiff”). There are no special relationships or specific criminal acts that are needed to ask for the order. Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-14-101
4. Civil Protection Orders Filed by Employers
Although Colorado does not have a separate “workplace protection order” as some states do, Colorado law permits an employer to apply for the order in the name of the business if the employer believes that the employees or customers are in immediate danger from the abuser. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-104.5(7)(b))
5. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (to remove firearms)
An extreme risk protection order temporarily restricts a respondent’s access to guns in certain situations to protect him/her and others
What if I am Under 18 years of Age?
Restraining orders can be requested by anyone 12 years or older, and without your parent’s permission. If you are under 18, then in some situations , a judge may ask you to have a trusted adult help you in your case after you have filed for the petition. such as a parent a counselor or a neighbor.
If you are under 18, you can go to your local court’s Self-Help Center for help. For support and safety tips, you can chat at loveisrespect.org, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, or call 1-866-331-9474.
If you are 12 or older and someone has asked for a restraining order against you, you can go to court without a parent. In some situations, the judge may ask you to have a trusted adult help you in your case.
Situation Examples
Example 1: Sexually and verbally abusive, and controlling husband:
Lisa’s husband, Mark, always seems angry and yells at her for small things. Sometimes, he calls her names and makes her feel worthless. Mark also controls what Lisa wears, who she talks to, and where she goes. Lisa feels scared and trapped in her own home because she never knows when Mark will lash out at her again. She wants to leave, but she’s afraid of what Mark might do if she tries.
Example 2: Boyfriend blackmails and destroys property to control and induce fear
Emily’s boyfriend, Alex, always seems to be angry with her. Whenever she tries to disagree with him or express her feelings, he threatens her. One time, when Emily wanted to break up with Alex, he got furious and started breaking things in their apartment, smashing plates and punching holes in the walls. He yelled at Emily, telling her that if she ever leaves him, he’ll make her life a living nightmare. Now, Emily feels scared and trapped, not knowing what to do or who to turn to for help.
Example 3: Ex-partner stalks
Jenna’s ex-boyfriend shows up at Jenna’s work unexpectedly and drives around. Jenna is fearful, and had earlier clearly asked him to leave her alone.
Is a Restraining order helpful?
The purpose of a restraining order is to restrict the contact or proximity of one person (the respondent or alleged perpetrator) to another person (the petitioner or victim) in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the petitioner.
The specific terms of a restraining order can vary depending on the circumstances of the case e.g. if the people live together then it might require one party to vacate the place.
Typically, a restraining order may prohibit the respondent from
- Approaching or contacting the petitioner including via text or social media
- Staying away from the usual places petitioner is at such as home, work or school
- Prohibit stalking, or surveillance of any kind
- In situations where they lived together, provide custody or access to
- Children
- Pets
- Important documents
- Personal items such as clothes, medications, cell phones
- Cars
- Extending the restraining to others living with the petitioner
Research findings on benefits of restraining orders
Here’s the top three findings from a study on domestic violence and restraining orders from the University of New Hampshire
Reduce Violence
Civil protective orders (such as a DVRO) are effective in reducing partner violence for many women. For half the women in the sample, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
Cost Effective
They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.
Urban Vs. Rural
The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural and urban women. In rural areas where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, the restraining orders hold greater importance.
Process for getting a restraining order
Step 1: Gather Evidence
The first step is to gather the evidence to support your case. The following are considered as evidence of domestic violence
Evidence Type 1: Pending Criminal Case
Judges are also more likely to issue an order if there is an ongoing criminal case, therefore it’s important to call such cases out when seeking a temporary restraining order.
When a judge sees that there’s a criminal case happening, they might think it means the police or the district attorney are pretty sure they can prove the crime happened.
Examples of evidence are:
Evidence Type 2: Photos of violence, injuries, damage
These are the most common types of evidence submitted. These can be photos of victim’s injuries inflicted by the abuser. It is helpful to add photos next to the related incident description to help create a complete picture for the judge.
Evidence Type 3: Print outs of messages, emails or transcripts of voicemail
You can take screenshots of text messages and attach them. Similarly you can print emails and attach them as pictures or PDF files. While in most cases you cannot submit digital files such as
Evidence Type 4: 911 Calls
Rather than just saying you called 911 or any specific hotline, you can make your case stronger by listing the following items
- The number dialed in case of the domestic hotline
- The date and time (or approximate date and time) when the call was made
- Who made the call
- What was reported on the call
- Any specific details of the person who answer the 911 call e.g. male/female voice
Evidence Type 5: Medical Records
You can attach documentation of previous medical emergencies or injuries that resulted from the actions of the abuser. These could be hospital visit records, print outs from your hospital portal (E.g. mychart) showing details of your visit.
Evidence Type 6: Police reports
You can attach a copy of the police reports filed against abuser for domestic violence.
Evidence Type 7: Testimony
A testimony from a witness. The witness can be anyone such as a family member, neighbor a co-worker or a bystander. The testimony is just an essay written describing the incidents witnessed, with as many specifics as possible.
Step 2: Get a copy of court forms
In order to apply for a civil restraining order, you need to fill and submit a specific set of official court forms. These have questions aimed at understanding your situation and the people involved.
The complete set of documents is at the Colorado Courts website. While these forms are used in most courts, certain courts use modified versions of these forms, and its important to uses those versions.
Tip: You can check your local court’s website to see the exact versions and set of court forms needed. You need to prepare these forms. Courts also offer a free self help center where you can take forms. Alternatively you can use a free website such as LegalAtoms to prepare the restraining orders paperwork online.
Nothing happens until you file the forms. So its a good idea to step through the forms even if you think you don’t plan to file for a restraining order right now, to get
You can then file them online when you’ve thought through all aspects. There are special protections for victims, and you’re protected even if your immigration status is undocumented in the United States.
Step 3: File the Court Forms
Submit your case documents at the court such that the clerk reviews their corrects and accepts them is called filing.
Identify the court at your county
In Colorado, if you need to apply for a Domestic Violence Restraining order (DVRO), you’ll typically go to the Colorado District Courts in your county.
The Colorado District Courts where you can apply for Domestic Violence Restraining orders (DVRO) in some of the major counties in Colorado:
- Denver County:
Address: Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Arapahoe County:
Address: Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S Potomac St, Centennial, CO 80112
- Jefferson County:
Address: Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401
- El Paso County:
Address: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Adams County:
Address: Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr, Brighton, CO 80601
Methods of Filing
Method # 1: In Person:
Your court location would accept the forms to be submitted in person at the court hours.
Tip: All courts have lunch hours when they are closed for an hour
When you submit your case documents at the court, typically you take 3 copies.
The clerks reviews it, and if everything is ok, they formally enter it into the court system and put a stamp near the top of the documents. That acceptance is called filing.
Method # 2: Electronically via a portal
Some counties now have one or more online portals where you create an account for free, and then you can upload documents and hit submit. You will be required to pay around $5-$10 filing fees.
Method # 3: Via another person
Some counties accept filing via a friend or legal courier. These companies or individuals charge a flat or hourly fee and file the documents at the court.
Step 4: Get a Temporary Order
Depending on the facts and evidence presented, a Judge can issue a restraining order with immediate effect until the hearing, called an Emergency Temporary Order. In relatively less risky situations, a temporary order is issued in a few days.
If there are no grounds or if the application is incomplete or the jurisdiction is incorrect the application may be rejected.
The temporary order is only valid for about 3 weeks which is the amount of time until the hearing. If the hearing is delayed for any reason, you need to check with the court to ensure the temporary order is renewed until the hearing.
Step 5: Serve the abuser
If you were successful in getting a temporary order only then this step is necessary, otherwise you will have to wait until you get one.
In the Colorado legal system, whenever one party initiates a restraining order it needs to inform or serve the other party formally by delivering the court documents. That step is called serving the respondent, and is often seen in movies and TV shows as “You’ve been served”.
Under the Colorado law there are multiple ways in which the other party can be served.
You cannot serve your papers yourself.
Option 1: Ask a Cop (FREE)
A sheriff or marshal can serve the opposing party for you which is a big help. This service is offered for FREE. You will however need the address of the abuser. To ask the sheriff to serve your papers, you must have an address or location for the other side (restrained person). If the other side is in jail, the sheriff can serve them. If the other side is in prison, prison staff, not the sheriff, will serve your papers. Follow the instructions by the Colorado Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for serving someone in prison
Option 2: Ask a friend, relative or any adult (FREE)
You ask someone you know to be your server
- 18 or over, and
- not part of your case
Think about safety when choosing your server. Get step-by-step instructions for how to have someone else, not the sheriff, serve your court papers in the County.
Option 3: Hire a specialized courier
You can also hire a courier called professional process server. You can search on Yelp or Google to get a list of options near you. Yelp Example. An example is ABC Legal Services.
You cannot hire regular couriers such as UPS, FedEx or US Postal Service unless in exceptional scenarios where the judge authorizes service by mail, but that’s a whole different topic altogether.
Step 6: Present Evidence in a Court Hearing
Attend a hearing: The court holds a hearing within a couple of weeks where the evidence is examined. If there is sufficient supporting evidence as determined by a Judge, a full restraining order is issued. At this point it becomes a crime for the abuser to break the conditions of the restraining order.
Step 7. Collect the Final Order
After the hearing, a final order may be issued. You can take a paper copy of the order with you. The order is typically valid for five years.
Costs
There are no costs associated with a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
- FREE forms : You can get the court forms for free, or prepare them using the guided experience below.
- FREEfiling: There is fees for filing. Online filing platforms may charge a service fees
Process Duration
You can get a temporary restraining order the same day as you file.
Courts can have a cutoff of around 2 p.m. for the same day service, so you need to file before then. Otherwise, the order would be issued the following day when courts open.
Courts are generally open Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday-Sunday.
The temporary order is valid until a formal hearing is held in which both parties need to be present. Typically a hearing is scheduled in 2 weeks of filing.
At the hearing a formal order may be issued
Risks
It is conceivable that following the submission of a civil protection order, the abuser particularly in domestic violence situations may react with anger due to the perceived loss of control over you and your household. In certain instances, the abuser may portray themselves as the victim and shift blame onto the actual victim they were mistreating.
The response of your abuser after the filing of a restraining order is unpredictable. While a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) can provide legal protection, one should not automatically assume that it guarantees safety. The initial weeks post-filing can be particularly precarious, contingent on your abuser’s reaction.
Despite the safeguards intended by a DVRO, abusers may retaliate through various means, such as:
- Physical assault or violence
- Harming or taking away children
- Damaging jointly owned property
- Disregarding the order and persisting with threats, possibly through intermediaries
- Inflicting harm or causing harm to pets
- Harassing your loved ones for information
- Engaging in stalking behavior
- Initiating a retaliatory restraining order against you
- Spreading false information about you in court documents, online, or publicly
Following the submission of a domestic violence Restraining order, it’s important to continuously assess your situation and prepare for the potential escalation of your case into more violent territory.
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