Jefferson Civil Protection Orders

Jefferson Civil Protection Orders

Jefferson civil protection orders, also called protective orders or restraining orders, are issued by the court. These legally enforceable documents protect people from abuse and harassment, requiring the people named in the documents, called the respondents, to maintain a specific distance from the people seeking protection, called the petitioners.

Work With Kinnett & Cordes

The easiest way to get a protective order is to work with an attorney, like the ones at Kinnett & Cordes. Our firm has been in practice for years. We can leverage civil protection order laws to seek the results our clients need, protecting them against stalking, harassment, violence, and threats. Let us help you, too.

Other Jefferson County Legal Issues We Handle Include

• Divorce
• Collaborative Divorce
• High Net Worth Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Family Law Mediation

Reasons to Hire a Civil Protection Orders Lawyer

As of 2026, Jefferson County’s population was estimated at 580,543, making it the fourth-largest county in Colorado. As such, it is home to many people who are struggling with the impacts of domestic violence, abuse, stalking, and harassment. If you’re one of them, you can hire a civil protection orders lawyer to assist you with filing a motion for a restraining order. This can be done at the Jefferson Combined Court or the PorchLight Family Justice Center.

Your Jefferson civil protection orders attorney can help you by:

• Correctly filling out the appropriate paperwork
• Explaining the provisions of the protective order
• Representing you at the hearing
• Applying for a continuance if necessary
• Holding the respondent accountable for following the order

Whether you’re being stalked or leaving a situation involving domestic violence, working with an attorney is the most straightforward way to pursue the restraining order you need to be safe in your home and life.

What Are Protection Orders?

Protection orders are issued to keep the victims of stalking, abuse, and domestic violence safe. They can be issued in association with criminal cases or as separate civil actions, whether a crime has been charged or not. Petitioners can request protective orders to force respondents to:

• Stay away from them and other family members.
• Stop communicating with them, even through other people.
• Continue paying rent or making payments on mortgages of co-owned homes.
• Turn over firearms and ammunition to the police.
• Undergo regular drug testing.
• Attend counseling for drug and alcohol abuse.
• Attend counseling for domestic violence.
• Stay away from children or visit them only under supervision.
• Conduct other acts designed to protect victims.

Judges who issue restraining orders are tasked with making sure that their orders meet the petitioners’ unique needs. Under Colorado Revised Statutes 13-14-100.2, acts of domestic abuse that can prompt a protective order can include:

• Mental and emotional abuse
• Financial control
• Other types of control
• Physical violence

Temporary Protection Orders

Temporary protection orders give victims of abuse and their household members immediate protection from their abusers. The petitions are generally submitted to judges on the same day they are filed, and they can be filed ex parte, with only one party present. Judges can request testimony from petitioners as needed. If judges decide that there is a threat of immediate danger to the petitioner, they can issue a temporary protection order at once.

The temporary protection order goes into effect as soon as the respondent is served, but it only lasts for up to a year. Both parties must then attend a full hearing to determine whether the protective order should be extended, altered, or terminated.

Permanent Protection Orders

Permanent protection orders are issued during restraining order hearings if:

• The petitioner still feels that they are being threatened.
• The court finds that the respondent committed an act of domestic violence.

The court can modify the temporary protection order by issuing a permanent one, which is valid indefinitely.

Protective orders can do more than protect petitioners from abuse. In cases where the two parties have children in common, the court can also address the exclusive use of a residence, child custody, and parenting time.

Emergency Protective Orders

Emergency protective orders are typically issued upon the request of a law enforcement officer when they respond to situations like domestic violence. These orders can also be issued ex parte and will only be valid for a short period of time. They’re often issued in these situations:

• Domestic violence
• Child abuse
• Child abduction
• Elder abuse
• Dependent adult abuse
• Stalking
• Gun violence

Violation of Protective Orders

The violation of protective orders is a Class 2 or Class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances surrounding the violation. Acts that violate protective orders under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-6-803.5 include:

• Harassment or intimidation. This occurs when respondents engage in activities that intimidate or molest the petitioner.
• Contact. If the protection order contains a no-contact provision, the respondent is banned from communicating with the petitioner in any way. Any form of communication, including text messages, phone calls, social media contact, or third-party contact, is considered a violation of the order.
• Entering protected premises. Protective orders can also bar respondents from entering certain places. If they come within a predetermined distance of these properties, they are in violation of the restraining order.
• Physical actions. Respondents can’t touch, injure, or attempt to injure protected persons.
• Locating the petitioner. Hiring another person to find the petitioner is also considered a violation of the protection order.
• Possession of firearms. If an extreme risk protection order has been issued, it’s considered a violation of that order to own or attempt to acquire firearms or ammunition.

The penalties for violating protective orders can include up to 120 days of jail time and fines of up to $750 for Class 2 misdemeanors. Certain factors can enhance the penalties in civil protection order cases, such as if the person has:

• A history of violating orders.
• Made threats against the petitioner.
• Used a deadly weapon to injure, attempt to injure, or threaten the petitioner.

Get Help With Jefferson Civil Protection Orders

Jefferson civil protection orders are designed to offer the victims of domestic violence, stalking, and assault some peace and safety. If you’ve been facing threats of violence, we can help you take out a restraining order. You can trust the team here at Kinnett & Cordes to handle your civil protection order case with compassion and professionalism. We have years of experience in handling protective orders. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation today.

Jefferson County Family Law Resources

• Divorce, Privacy, And Collaborative Law
• How Long Do You Have to Be Separated in Colorado Before Getting a Divorce?
• What Is the Best Way to Negotiate a Divorce Settlement?
• What Is the Collaborative Process in a Denver Divorce?
• Do You Need a Divorce for Common Law Marriage in Denver, Colorado?