Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities, including Aurora and Lakewood, where protection orders can be issued quickly and carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. Whether you need to seek protection, want to contest an order filed against you, or have been accused of violating one, the decisions you make early in the process matter.
Wolf Law represents individuals across Colorado with a criminal defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and strong legal advocacy. Attorneys and Partners Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley lead the firm’s defense team, each bringing decades of trial experience and sharp legal analysis to protection order matters and every other case they handle across Colorado.
If you have been served with a protection order, are seeking one, or have been accused of violating one, call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation today.
Civil Protection Orders vs. Mandatory Criminal Protection Orders
Colorado uses two distinct systems, and understanding which one applies to your situation changes the entire process.
- Civil protection orders (C.R.S. Title 13, Article 14): Filed by a petitioner independently of any criminal charge, based on abuse, stalking, sexual violence, or other credible threats.
- Mandatory criminal protection orders (C.R.S. 18-1-1001): Issued automatically at the first appearance in any criminal case, regardless of whether the alleged victim requests one.
| Factor | Civil Protection Order | Criminal Protection Order |
| Who requests it | Petitioner files independently | Issued automatically by the court |
| Requires a criminal charge | No | Yes, tied to a pending case |
| Violation penalty (first offense) | Class 2 misdemeanor | Class 1 misdemeanor |
| Ends when | Modified, terminated, or expires | Case is resolved |
Emergency, Temporary, and Permanent Orders
Civil protection orders move through three tiers, each with its own trigger and timeline.
- Emergency protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-103): Issued by a judicial officer or law enforcement outside normal court hours, based on imminent danger, and acts as a short bridge until the next business day.
- Temporary civil protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5): Filed at the county court and often granted the same day, generally lasting until a permanent hearing is scheduled, typically within about 14 days. As of a 2025 statutory change, a petitioner no longer has to show imminent danger to obtain this order, which has increased how often temporary orders are issued.
- Permanent civil protection order (C.R.S. 13-14-106): Issued after a full hearing where both sides present evidence and testimony, and can remain in effect indefinitely unless modified or terminated later.
| Factor | Temporary Order | Permanent Order |
| Notice to respondent | Often issued without notice | Full hearing with notice required |
| Duration | Until the permanent hearing | Indefinite, unless modified |
| Evidence standard | Petition alone may be sufficient | Preponderance of the evidence at hearing |
| Modification | Not typically applicable | Can be modified or terminated later by petition |
Protection Order vs. No-Contact Order
| Factor | Protection Order | No-Contact Order |
| Source | Civil petition or mandatory criminal order | Bond condition in a pending criminal case |
| Duration | Can be temporary or permanent | Tied to the pendency of the criminal case |
| Modification | Petition process under C.R.S. 13-14-108 | Motion to the criminal court |
| Violation | Separate crime under C.R.S. 18-6-803.5 | Bond violation, can trigger new charges |
Obtaining a Restraining Order
A crime does not need to occur for a civil protection order to be issued. The person filing is the petitioner, and the person restricted is the respondent. Petitioners can request a temporary order at county court during business hours, and a judge will often issue it the same day. Outside business hours, local law enforcement can help petitioners pursue an emergency order. Once issued, the order must be served on the respondent to take effect, and it typically restricts contact and sets a required distance from the petitioner’s home, work, and any shared children’s school or daycare.
What Happens at the Permanent Hearing
The permanent hearing is where the case is truly decided. The petitioner must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent committed acts justifying the order and that continued restriction is warranted. Judges consider testimony from both sides, documentary evidence such as messages or photos, witness accounts, and the safety of any children involved. The respondent’s presence matters significantly. Attending gives the opportunity to contest the order, present evidence, and argue for narrower terms; not appearing will result in the order becoming permanent by default unless the petitioner declines to seek it.
Whether you are trying to obtain an order or contest one, the permanent hearing is the moment that matters most. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 to prepare before your court date.
Consequences of Agreeing to or Contesting an Order
Agreeing to a permanent order, sometimes without admitting to the underlying allegations, can resolve a case quickly but still carries lasting restrictions. Contesting the order preserves the opportunity to limit its terms or defeat it entirely, but requires presenting evidence and testimony at the hearing. The right approach depends on the strength of the evidence, the terms being sought, and how the order would affect your specific circumstances.
How Protection Orders Affect Firearms, Employment, Housing, and Custody
- Firearms: Under C.R.S. 13-14-105.5, an order based on domestic violence involving physical force or the threat of it requires the respondent to relinquish any firearms and refrain from purchasing new ones for the order’s duration.
- Employment: A permanent order appears on background checks and can affect jobs that require a clean record or firearm access.
- Housing: A respondent may be ordered to vacate a shared home, sometimes with limited, supervised access to retrieve belongings.
- Child custody: Orders can restrict or eliminate contact with shared children and shape parenting time until modified.
Violating a Protection Order in Colorado
Violating a protection order is a separate crime, and police need only probable cause to arrest, not a conviction on the underlying allegation.
- First-time violation of a civil order: Generally a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 120 days in jail and a fine up to $750.
- Violation of a criminal protection order, or a civil order involving stalking or an intimate relationship: A class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
- Repeat violations: Can trigger extraordinary risk sentencing enhancements, and in domestic violence cases with multiple prior violations, may escalate to a felony.
A protection order violation charge can compound quickly, especially alongside other allegations. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 immediately if you have been accused of violating an order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Protection Orders
Do I need a lawyer to file for a protection order? No, anyone can file, but legal guidance helps when children, firearms, or a contested hearing are involved.
Can a protection order be issued without a crime being committed? Yes. Civil protection orders can be issued based on a credible threat of harm, without any criminal charge being filed.
How long does a temporary order last before the permanent hearing? Typically until a permanent hearing is scheduled, generally within about 14 days.
What happens if I don’t show up to the permanent hearing? Judges frequently make the order permanent by default when the respondent does not appear.
Can a protection order be modified or terminated later? Yes, either party can petition the court to modify or terminate an order under C.R.S. 13-14-108, though approval depends on the circumstances since issuance.
Will a protection order show up on a background check? A permanent order generally will, and it can affect employment and housing applications.
What should I do if I’m accused of violating a protection order? Contact an attorney immediately, avoid any further contact with the protected person even if they reach out first, and do not assume the allegation will resolve on its own.
Get the Denver Attorney You Need
Protection order cases often overlap with related matters, including domestic violence, harassment, stalking, assault, and protection order violations. Wolf Law’s attorneys understand how these charges intersect and what is genuinely at stake for you and your family.
Do not wait to get legal help. Call Wolf Law today at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation, whether you are seeking, contesting, or accused of violating a protection order.
