If you or a family member is facing allegations of domestic violence or a harassment-related offense in Colorado, you may quickly encounter a series of legal terms and acronyms surrounding protection orders. These terms are not interchangeable, and the type of protection order issued against you has significant practical consequences for where you can live, whether you can see your children, and what happens if you are accused of violating it.
Types of Protection Orders in Colorado
TRO — Temporary Restraining Order
A TRO is issued by a judge on an emergency basis, often without the accused party present at a hearing (known as an ex parte proceeding). It is designed for situations where a judge finds sufficient evidence of immediate danger. A TRO is short-lived by design — it expires within a set period, typically two weeks, at which point a full hearing must be held to determine whether a longer order is warranted.
PRO — Permanent Restraining Order
Despite the name, a PRO is not necessarily permanent in the sense of lasting forever. It is a civil protection order issued after a full hearing at which both parties have the right to appear and present their side. The duration can vary — some are issued for a specific number of years, others indefinitely. A PRO will only be issued if the court finds sufficient evidence that protection is necessary.
EPO — Emergency Protection Order
EPOs are issued by law enforcement, typically when courts are closed (nights, weekends, and holidays). A police officer on the scene can request one if they believe there is a credible threat of imminent harm. An EPO is very short-term — usually only 72 hours — and exists to bridge the gap until a court can hold a proper hearing.
MPO — Mandatory Protection Order
MPOs are unique in that they issue automatically whenever a person is charged with a criminal offense involving domestic violence under Colorado law. The court does not have discretion about whether to issue one — it is mandatory. The MPO remains in place for the duration of the criminal case and can include restrictions on contact with the alleged victim, residence, and firearms ownership. Violating an MPO is itself a criminal offense.
DVRO — Domestic Violence Restraining Order
This is a broader term sometimes used to describe protection orders issued in the context of a domestic violence case, which may include both civil and criminal proceedings running simultaneously.
What Happens If You Violate a Protection Order?
Violating any type of protection order in Colorado — even inadvertently — is a separate criminal offense and can result in arrest, additional charges, and significant impact on your pending case. Under CRS 18-6-803.5, violation of a protection order is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense, and can escalate to a felony for subsequent violations or if the violation involves physical harm.
Even a text message, a social media message sent through a third party, or a brief in-person encounter can qualify as a violation. The courts take these seriously, and prosecutors actively look for violations to use as additional leverage in the underlying case.
False or Exaggerated Allegations
Protection orders are frequently obtained in the context of contentious family law situations — divorces, custody disputes, and separations. Research has consistently shown that some protection orders are sought not because of genuine safety concerns but to gain a strategic advantage in a custody or property proceeding. If you believe the allegations against you are false, exaggerated, or motivated by an ulterior purpose, Colorado law gives you the right to contest the order at a hearing.
Speaking with a Colorado Defense Attorney
The consequences of a protection order — and the criminal charges that often accompany one — can be severe and long-lasting, affecting your housing, employment, firearm rights, and relationship with your children. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., our domestic violence defense attorneys help clients understand exactly what each order means, what the process looks like, and how to protect their rights at every stage.
Call 303-825-1075 or contact us online for a free consultation. We answer phones 24/7.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.