Colorado Protection Orders

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, income or education level, sexual orientation, race, or religion. If you have experienced domestic violence, you deserve safety and protection, and so do your children. If you have been accused of domestic abuse, especially unjustly, you need to understand your rights and how those accusations may affect a divorce or child custody case.

At Altitude Family Law, we take allegations of domestic violence very seriously, and we are committed to safeguarding our clients, whether they are survivors of abuse or are accused of committing it. If you are party to a case involving claims of domestic violence, or need a lawyer for a restraining order, our domestic violence attorneys can help you understand and protect your rights.

Understanding Civil Protective Orders in Colorado

Victims of domestic violence may be granted a civil Temporary Protection Order (TPO) on an ex parte basis (without the other side present). A hearing on the order must be scheduled to take place within 14 days. At that hearing, both parties have the chance to testify and present evidence. There are three possible outcomes of this hearing: the TPO may be dismissed; the TPO may continue in effect; or the order may be converted to a Permanent Protection Order. A PPO is intended to be in place long-term. It may be permanent and remains in effect until it is modified or dismissed by the court.

If the alleged perpetrator has been charged criminally, the judge in the criminal case will issue a Mandatory Protection Order to keep the alleged perpetrator and victim separate for the duration of the criminal case.

Domestic violence is an issue in many other family law cases, including divorce and child custody. It can impact a parent’s access to their child, ability to communicate with the other parent, and ability to enter the family home, among other things. It’s critical that the lawyer representing you in your divorce or custody matter is also an experienced domestic violence attorney who understands how these areas of the law intersect.