Colorado criminal charge
Crime of violation of a protection order in Colorado
Crime of violation of a protection order is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5.
What is the penalty for crime of violation of a protection order in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Violation of a protection order — base offense — A violation of subsection (1) is a class 2 misdemeanor unless one of the aggravating circumstances applies.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Violation of a protection order — base offense — A violation of subsection (1) is a class 2 misdemeanor unless one of the aggravating circumstances applies.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Violation of a protection order — aggravated (prior conviction, criminal protection order, stalking, or intimate relationship) — The violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the restrained person has a prior conviction under this section or a similar municipal ordinance, or the protection order was issued under 18-1-1001, or the basis for the order involved an allegation of stalking, or the parties were in an intimate relationship.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Violation of a protection order — aggravated (prior conviction, criminal protection order, stalking, or intimate relationship) — The violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the restrained person has a prior conviction under this section or a similar municipal ordinance, or the protection order was issued under 18-1-1001, or the basis for the order involved an allegation of stalking, or the parties were in an intimate relationship.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is crime of violation of a protection order classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violation of a protection order — base offense | class 2 misdemeanor | A violation of subsection (1) is a class 2 misdemeanor unless one of the aggravating circumstances applies. | 18-6-803.5(2)(a) |
| Violation of a protection order — aggravated (prior conviction, criminal protection order, stalking, or intimate relationship) | class 1 misdemeanor | The violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the restrained person has a prior conviction under this section or a similar municipal ordinance, or the protection order was issued under 18-1-1001, or the basis for the order involved an allegation of stalking, or the parties were in an intimate relationship. | 18-6-803.5(2)(a) |
Common questions about crime of violation of a protection order in Colorado
Is crime of violation of a protection order a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: crime of violation of a protection order ranges from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5.
Violation of a protection order — base offense: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5(2)(a)) · Violation of a protection order — aggravated (prior conviction, criminal protection order, stalking, or intimate relationship): class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5(2)(a))
What are the penalties for crime of violation of a protection order in Colorado?
Penalties for crime of violation of a protection order in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers crime of violation of a protection order?
Crime of violation of a protection order is governed by C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5 (Crime of violation of a protection order - penalty - peace officers' duties - definitions).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.