What is an extreme risk protection order?

A protection order in Colorado is a court order that prohibits a person from contacting, injuring, harassing, threatening, stalking, intimidating or otherwise abusing a protected person. According to the Colorado Judicial Branch, a person with a protection order against them cannot enter or remain on the premises of the protected person. If someone files a protection order against you, you must stay a specified distance away.

There are different types of protection orders, one order being the extreme risk protection order. How can someone obtain an extreme risk protection order?

What is an extreme risk protection order?

The Colorado Judicial Branch explains an extreme risk protection order as one obtained when the respondent poses a significant risk. The way that the court decides whether you pose a significant risk hinges on firearm possession. If you own a firearm or have any control of a firearm, then the court can determine that you may be a risk to yourself or others.

How can a person obtain an extreme risk protection order?

The only people who can request an extreme risk protection order against you is a family member, household member or a law enforcement officer. The members of your household could include any person related to you by blood, marriage or adoption. It also includes anyone who has a child with you, regardless of whether you live together or have a relationship.

Others who can obtain a protection order include:

• Biological parents, stepparents, legal parents and grandparents
• Children, adopted children, stepchildren and grandchildren
• Spouses and former spouses

If you were in any type of romantic relationship with another person, he or she can obtain a protective order against you.