How to File a Civil Protection Order in Colorado (Pro Se)
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., Colorado court-appointed Child & Family Investigator. A step-by-step guide to filing for a protection order yourself, with direct links to every current Colorado Judicial Branch form. There is no filing fee if you are seeking the order as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Former Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney · 20+ Years in Private Practice · Former Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
The four steps
File
File JDF 402 (with JDF 442; add JDF 401/404 if they apply) in a county where the incident happened or a party lives or works. There is no filing fee if you are asking for the order as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault; otherwise the filing fee is $95 unless the court waives it (C.R.S. § 13-14-109).
Temporary order, often the same day
A judge can review your request the same day, often without the other person present. If the judge finds a risk or threat of physical harm, or a threat of psychological or emotional harm (C.R.S. § 13-14-104.5(7)(a)), the court can issue a Temporary Civil Protection Order (JDF 398). The permanent-order hearing must be set within 14 days, and it can be continued if the other person has not been served. Get certified copies.
Personal service
Before the hearing, the respondent must be personally served with the papers (by a sheriff, process server, or any non-party adult). File proof of service (JDF 98).
Permanent hearing
At the hearing (~14 days later), if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the acts occurred and would continue, it issues a Permanent Civil Protection Order (JDF 399), which has no end date (C.R.S. § 13-14-106), though the court can change or dismiss it later on a motion (C.R.S. § 13-14-108).
The current forms (official Colorado Judicial Branch)
These protection-order forms are linked directly to the Colorado Judicial Branch (coloradojudicial.gov). Forms are revised from time to time, so confirm you have the latest version before filing:
Official protection-order hub ↗︎
Filing pro se? Walk into that hearing prepared.
A no-charge 20-minute call with Attorney Liken before the hearing; one-hour coaching sessions are available by agreement and are billed hourly. On either side of a protection order, preparation matters.
Protection orders — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a temporary and a permanent protection order in Colorado?
A temporary protection order can be granted quickly, often the same day, and lasts until a return hearing usually set about 14 days out. At that hearing the court decides whether to make it a permanent protection order, which can last indefinitely.
Do I need a lawyer to file a protection order?
No. Colorado's process is designed to be usable on your own, and this page links the current JDF forms. But the return hearing is a real evidentiary hearing, and having counsel — on either side — can matter a great deal when the order could become permanent.
Can a protection order affect custody or my firearms?
Yes. A protection order can include temporary parenting-time and no-contact provisions, and under state and federal law certain orders require surrendering firearms. Those consequences are why both petitioners and respondents should take the hearing seriously.
What happens if the other person violates the order?
Violating a protection order is a crime in Colorado — call 911 to report it, and keep a record of every violation. A documented pattern of violations strengthens the case at the permanent-order hearing.
Ready to talk it through?
No-charge 20-minute phone consultation — you talk directly with Attorney Liken.