A restraining order filed against you changes things fast. It can affect where you live, whether you see your children, and how you move through daily life — sometimes overnight. When that order is based on false accusations, exaggerated claims, or outright retaliation, the situation feels even more urgent. You are not powerless. Knowing how to fight a restraining order in Colorado is the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.
In Colorado, these orders are formally referred to as protection orders — specifically, civil protection orders. You may see the terms “restraining order” and “protection order” used interchangeably throughout this article and in general conversation, but for legal purposes in Colorado, “protection order” is the correct term.
Colorado courts take protection orders seriously, and so should you. Acting quickly and strategically makes a real difference.
What a False Restraining Order Actually Looks Like
Not every restraining order that feels unfair qualifies as a false restraining order in the legal sense — but many do. In Colorado, a civil protection order can be obtained with a relatively low burden of proof at the temporary stage. That means someone can file based on their own account of events, without giving you a chance to respond first.
Restraining order false accusations tend to fall into a few patterns:
- Fabricated or exaggerated incidents used to gain leverage in a divorce or custody dispute
- Retaliatory filings after a breakup, business conflict, or family dispute
- Misrepresentation of events or selective storytelling that leaves out critical context
- Orders sought to interfere with housing, employment, or parental rights
If any of these sound familiar, you may have strong grounds to challenge the order. A false restraining order is not something you simply accept and move on from — the record follows you, and the restrictions are real.
How Colorado’s Restraining Order Process Works
In Colorado, most civil protection orders start as a temporary civil protection order (TCPO). A judge can issue one ex parte — meaning without you present — based solely on the petitioner’s statement. It is temporary, but it carries immediate legal weight.
From there, a hearing is scheduled, typically within 14 days. That hearing is your opportunity. This is where both sides present their case, and where you have the right to challenge the claims made against you. The court then decides whether to issue a permanent civil protection order or to dismiss it.
Denver County Court and courts across Colorado follow this same two-step process. The temporary order feels like a verdict, but it is not. The hearing is where the real fight happens — and where preparation matters most.
How to Fight a Restraining Order in Colorado: What to Do Now
If you are looking for how to fight a restraining order in Colorado, your timeline is tight. Here is what to focus on from the moment you are served:
- Read the order carefully. Understand exactly what you are prohibited from doing and follow every restriction without exception. Violating a temporary order — even one you believe is false — creates serious criminal exposure.
- Document everything. Gather text messages, emails, photos, call logs, witness contacts, and any records that contradict the petitioner’s claims. Credible, organized evidence is the foundation of your defense.
- Identify witnesses. People who can speak to your character, your relationship with the petitioner, or specific events referenced in the order can carry significant weight in a hearing.
- Track inconsistencies. If the petitioner’s account contradicts prior communications or known facts, document those contradictions clearly.
- Do not contact the petitioner. Even to clear the air or respond to their outreach. Any contact can be used against you.
- Get legal representation before the hearing. This is not the type of proceeding to walk into unprepared or alone.
How to Challenge a Protection Order at the Hearing
The protection order hearing is your window. Understanding how to challenge a protection order means understanding what the court is actually looking at — and presenting evidence that directly counters it.
Colorado courts require the petitioner to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the order is necessary. That standard means “more likely than not.” It is not a criminal burden of proof, but it is still a burden — and your job is to make the petitioner’s account fall short of meeting it.
Effective defense strategies often include:
- Presenting documented evidence that contradicts the petitioner’s version of events
- Calling credible witnesses who can provide a fuller picture
- Cross-examining the petitioner on inconsistencies in their account
- Demonstrating a pattern of retaliatory or manipulative behavior by the petitioner
- Showing the court that restraining order false accusations were filed for strategic, not safety, reasons
Judges in Colorado are experienced with contested protection order hearings. A well-prepared, evidence-backed defense presented calmly and clearly is more persuasive than emotion alone.
Work With a Defense Attorney in Denver Who Knows This Process
Knowing how to fight a restraining order in Colorado is one thing — executing a coherent legal defense under pressure is another. At Baker Law Group, PLLC, we represent people across Colorado who are facing false or retaliatory protection orders. If you are dealing with restraining order false accusations and need a criminal defense attorney in Denver or the surrounding area, we work directly with you to build a defense grounded in the facts of your case.
We will not tell you what you want to hear. We will tell you what the law says, what your options are, and what it realistically takes to fight back effectively.
Your Next Move Matters
The hearing window is short, and preparation takes time. If you believe you are facing a false restraining order, contact Baker Law Group, PLLC today to schedule a consultation. The sooner you have legal counsel in your corner, the stronger your position heading into that courtroom.
