How to Get a Protection Order in Colorado
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Colorado · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Colorado, a civil protection order is a court order that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, and Colorado is distinctive because a protection order made permanent after a hearing does not expire. You can seek one when a partner, family member, or other person has committed domestic abuse, threats, stalking, or harassment against you, under Colorado's civil protection order law (C.R.S. 13-14-100.2 and following). You file a verified complaint (Form JDF 402) asking for a temporary civil protection order in the county court or district court where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee when you seek the order as a victim of domestic abuse (C.R.S. 13-14-109). A judge can issue a temporary protection order the same day, without the other person present, if your sworn complaint shows imminent danger to you (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). That temporary order includes a citation setting a hearing, and the return date must be set not more than fourteen days after the order issues (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). At the hearing, the court decides whether to make the order permanent (C.R.S. 13-14-106). A permanent civil protection order stays in effect with no expiration date. If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Colorado
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get a protection order in Colorado?
File a verified complaint (Form JDF 402) for a civil protection order in the county court or district court where you live, where the other person lives, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse victim (C.R.S. 13-14-109). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day.
How long does it take to get a protection order in Colorado?
A judge or magistrate can issue a temporary civil protection order the same day you file, without the other person present, if your sworn complaint shows imminent danger to you (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). That temporary order takes effect once signed and lasts until your hearing, which is set within fourteen days.
How long does a permanent protection order last in Colorado?
It does not expire. After the hearing, the court can make the order a permanent civil protection order that stays in effect with no expiration date (C.R.S. 13-14-106). Generally only the court can change it, and the restrained person usually cannot move to modify or dismiss it for two years (C.R.S. 13-14-108).
Which court handles protection orders in Colorado?
You file in the county court or the district court, in the county where you live, where the person you want protection from lives or works, or where the abuse occurred. Municipal, probate, and juvenile courts also have jurisdiction. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides self-help forms and instructions for filing without a lawyer.
Colorado protection order law at a glance
In Colorado, a civil protection order is a court order that requires someone who has committed domestic abuse, threats, stalking, or harassment to stop and to stay away from you, under C.R.S. 13-14-100.2 and following. You start by filing a verified complaint (Form JDF 402) in county court or district court, and there is no filing fee when you seek it as a victim of domestic abuse (C.R.S. 13-14-109). A judge can issue a temporary civil protection order the same day, without notice to the other person, if your sworn complaint shows imminent danger (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). The order sets a hearing whose return date must fall within fourteen days. At that hearing the court can make the order permanent, and a permanent protection order does not expire; generally only the court can change it (C.R.S. 13-14-106).
Getting a Colorado permanent protection order after threats from an ex-partner
In Colorado, a permanent protection order that comes out of this process never expires, which matters when a former partner keeps showing up and sending threatening messages. You complete the Verified Complaint for a Civil Protection Order (Form JDF 402), describe the threats with dates, and file it in county court at no cost (C.R.S. 13-14-109). The same day, a judge reviews your sworn complaint and signs a temporary civil protection order because it shows imminent danger (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5), with a hearing return date set within fourteen days. A sheriff's deputy serves your ex with the papers. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, and the court makes the order permanent (C.R.S. 13-14-106). You keep a copy of the signed order, which stays in effect with no expiration date. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
C.R.S. 13-14-104.5 (temporary civil protection order)
Authorizes a judge or magistrate to issue a temporary civil protection order upon a finding of imminent danger, on a verified complaint and without notice to the other party, and requires the citation's return date to be set not more than fourteen days after the temporary order issues.
C.R.S. 13-14-106 (permanent civil protection order)
Directs the court, on the return date of the citation, to make the temporary order permanent or enter a permanent civil protection order if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent committed grounds for the order and will continue the conduct. The resulting order has no set expiration date.
C.R.S. 13-14-109 (no filing fee for domestic abuse victims)
Provides that the court may not assess a filing fee against a petitioner the court determines is seeking the protection order as a victim of domestic abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, and bars a state or public agency from charging those victims for service of process.
C.R.S. 13-14-108 (modification and termination)
Governs changing or ending a protection order. The protected party may apply for modification or dismissal at any time, while the restrained party generally may not move to modify or dismiss a permanent protection order within two years of its issuance.
Regional Variances
Colorado protection order rules at a glance
Order name
Civil protection order under C.R.S. 13-14-100.2 and following. It starts as a temporary civil protection order and can be made a permanent civil protection order at the hearing.
Where to file
County court or district court where you live, where the other person lives or works, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee for a domestic abuse victim (C.R.S. 13-14-109).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue a temporary civil protection order the same day, without the other person present, on a finding of imminent danger (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). It lasts until the hearing, whose return date is within fourteen days.
Final order duration
After the hearing, the court can enter a permanent civil protection order, which does not expire (C.R.S. 13-14-106). Generally only the court can change it, with limits on the restrained party (C.R.S. 13-14-108).
Main form
Form JDF 402, Verified Complaint/Motion for Civil Protection Order, filed with related forms such as an affidavit regarding children. Forms are free through the Colorado Judicial Branch self-help resources.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Verified Complaint for a Civil Protection Order (JDF 402)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out Form JDF 402 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and explain why you are in danger now. Use the free Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms and a family court facilitator if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your complaint in county or district court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile Form JDF 402 with the clerk of the county court or district court where you live, where the other person lives or works, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee when you seek the order as a victim of domestic abuse (C.R.S. 13-14-109).
Get and carry the temporary protection order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants a temporary civil protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your hearing. Note the return date on your citation, which must be within fourteen days.
Arrange service on the other person
Before the hearing days after startingHave law enforcement or another permitted person personally serve the other person with the complaint, the temporary order, and the citation (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). There is no service fee for a domestic abuse victim. Keep the proof of service to bring to court.
Attend the hearing with your evidence
On the return date in your citation (within 14 days) days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to make the order permanent (C.R.S. 13-14-106). If you cannot serve the other person in time, the court can extend the temporary order and continue the hearing.
Understand how a permanent order can change
After the permanent order is entered days after startingA permanent civil protection order does not expire (C.R.S. 13-14-106). You can ask the court to modify or dismiss it at any time, while the restrained person generally cannot for two years, and not at all after certain later convictions (C.R.S. 13-14-108).
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Verified Complaint for a Civil Protection Order (JDF 402) | Fill out Form JDF 402 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and explain why you are in danger now. Use the free Colorado Judicial Branch self-help forms and a family court facilitator if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your complaint in county or district court | File Form JDF 402 with the clerk of the county court or district court where you live, where the other person lives or works, or where the abuse happened. There is no filing fee when you seek the order as a victim of domestic abuse (C.R.S. 13-14-109). | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the temporary protection order | If the judge grants a temporary civil protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It lasts until your hearing. Note the return date on your citation, which must be within fourteen days. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Arrange service on the other person | Have law enforcement or another permitted person personally serve the other person with the complaint, the temporary order, and the citation (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). There is no service fee for a domestic abuse victim. Keep the proof of service to bring to court. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify. The court decides whether to make the order permanent (C.R.S. 13-14-106). If you cannot serve the other person in time, the court can extend the temporary order and continue the hearing. | - | On the return date in your citation (within 14 days) |
| Understand how a permanent order can change | A permanent civil protection order does not expire (C.R.S. 13-14-106). You can ask the court to modify or dismiss it at any time, while the restrained person generally cannot for two years, and not at all after certain later convictions (C.R.S. 13-14-108). | - | After the permanent order is entered |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Colorado does not charge a filing fee when the court finds you are seeking the order as a victim of domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault (C.R.S. 13-14-109). A state or public agency also may not charge you for service of process in those cases, and certified copies are provided at no cost.
You can file if another person has committed domestic abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or certain other conduct against you. Domestic abuse covers acts or threats between people in an intimate relationship or family. A parent or guardian can file for a child, and you can also seek protection on behalf of another eligible person.
You start with the Verified Complaint/Motion for Civil Protection Order (Form JDF 402), which asks for a temporary order and sets up the permanent order hearing. A related affidavit regarding children applies if a child is involved. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides the current forms and instructions free through its self-help resources.
At the hearing, set within fourteen days of the temporary order, both sides can appear, present evidence, and testify. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that grounds exist and the conduct is likely to continue, it makes the order permanent (C.R.S. 13-14-106). A served respondent who does not appear can still be bound.
A Colorado permanent civil protection order does not expire on its own. The protected person can ask the court to modify or dismiss it at any time. The restrained person faces limits, generally no motion to modify or dismiss within two years of the order, and none at all after certain later convictions (C.R.S. 13-14-108).
Violating a civil protection order is a criminal offense in Colorado. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also treat a violation as contempt. Carry a copy of your order at all times and report every violation. Active orders are entered in a law enforcement database so any officer can enforce them.
If you cannot serve the other person in time, the court extends your temporary protection order, continues the hearing, and issues a new citation with a later date (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5). You can ask for more continuances as needed until service is completed, so your protection does not lapse while you keep trying.
No. Colorado courts allow you to request a civil protection order on your own, with free forms and self-help resources from the Judicial Branch. Many people file without a lawyer, especially for the temporary order. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other person has an attorney.
Other Colorado guides
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