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. Filing is free for DV, sexual assault, and stalking.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
The four steps
Same-day temporary order
A judge reviews your request that day. On a finding of imminent danger, the court issues a Temporary Civil Protection Order (JDF 398) the same day and sets a hearing within 14 days. 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 does not expire (C.R.S. § 13-14-106).
The current forms (official Colorado Judicial Branch)
Colorado updated these forms in 2025 — these are the current versions, linked directly to coloradojudicial.gov:
Official protection-order hub ↗
Filing pro se? Walk into that hearing prepared.
A no-charge 20-minute call with Attorney Liken — or an hour of his coaching — before the hearing. On either side of a protection order, preparation wins.
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, or an in-depth hour ($300) — your choice. Either way, you talk directly with Attorney Liken.