Colorado violation of a protection order law makes it a separate criminal offense to disobey the terms of a court-issued protection order. Under C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5, a person can face new criminal charges if they knowingly violate a protection order after being served with it or otherwise receiving actual notice of its terms.
Many of these charges arise from misunderstandings about the scope of a mandatory protection orderissued in a criminal case, which is often entered automatically at a defendant’s first appearance.
If law enforcement has accused you of violating a protection order, time matters. Early steps can affect bond, charging decisions, and whether additional allegations follow—especially when the alleged violation involves a Colorado mandatory protection order (MPO).
Call now or request a confidential consultation to review the order, the alleged conduct, and your options.
A person commits the offense of violation of a protection order when they knowingly disobey the terms of a valid court order designed to protect another person or property. Importantly, Colorado law does not require personal service in every situation. Instead, the statute applies if the person:
was personally served with the order, or
had actual knowledge of the order through the court or law enforcement
In many cases, the order at issue is a court-issued protection order under C.R.S. § 18-1-1001, not a civil restraining order, which can change both enforcement and penalties.
Under Colorado law, prohibited conduct may include:
contacting, harassing, intimidating, threatening, or touching a protected person
entering or remaining on prohibited premises
coming within a restricted distance set by a no-contact order entered at first appearance
possessing or consuming alcohol or controlled substances when prohibited
violating any term included to protect the person from imminent danger
hiring another person to locate or track the protected individual
Because orders vary widely, violations often turn on what the mandatory protection order actually says, not what someone assumed it allowed.
Firearm-related violations are a common source of new charges. A person may be charged if they:
possess or attempt to purchase a firearm while prohibited, or
fail to file a required affidavit under a criminal mandatory protection order requirement
These allegations frequently stem from compliance provisions contained in a mandatory protection order issued under C.R.S. § 18-1-1001, even when no violent conduct occurred.
The offense level depends on the circumstances:
Class 2 misdemeanor (base level)
Class 1 misdemeanor if:
there is a prior violation,
the order was a mandatory criminal protection order, or
the case involved stalking or an intimate relationship
Any sentence imposed for a violation may run consecutively, making exposure significantly worse than many people expect.
For a full explanation of consequences tied to the underlying order, see the section on penalties for violating a protection order on the MPO page.
Peace officers must enforce valid protection orders and may arrest or seek a warrant when probable cause exists. In some situations, officers may issue a summons, particularly for technical or paperwork-related violations.
However, when the alleged conduct involves contact prohibited by a Colorado mandatory protection order, arrest is common.
Many cases turn on legal and factual issues, including:
lack of proper notice or actual knowledge
ambiguity in the protection order’s language
accidental or incidental contact
false or exaggerated allegations
firearm affidavit or compliance timing issues
A careful comparison between the alleged conduct and the criminal mandatory protection order terms is often central to the defense.
If police or prosecutors allege a violation:
Do not contact the protected person
Preserve all communications
Avoid trying to “explain” the situation
Review the exact order language with counsel
Address bond and compliance issues immediately
Many people are charged simply because they misunderstood the limits of a court-issued protection order under Colorado law.
Is this charge separate from my underlying case?
Yes. A violation of a protection order charge is prosecuted as a new criminal offense, even if the original case is still pending.
What if the protected person contacted me first?
The order restrains you, not them. Responding can still violate a no-contact provision.
Can paperwork mistakes really lead to charges?
Yes. Firearm and affidavit requirements tied to a mandatory protection order are enforced strictly.
If you are facing allegations under Colorado violation of a protection order law, your defense must address both the new charge and the underlying mandatory protection order issued in your criminal case. Consultations are confidential.
Call today or request a private case review.
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