Restraining Order and Protection Order Attorneys in Denver

Why Choose Price Family Law to Protect Your Future?

Our advocacy is led by Founding Partner Trista McElhaney Price. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado Law School, Trista began her career at firms focused on men’s and fathers’ rights.

This background gave her a deep understanding of the arguments from both sides of the aisle. She founded Price Family Law to provide balanced, intelligent, and firm representation for clients facing their most difficult moments.

Unlike general practitioners, our practice is built to handle high-conflict litigation. We are comfortable in messy cases that other firms may avoid, including those involving allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.

Located at 720 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite 452 South, our office is conveniently situated near Cherry Creek and Glendale, providing accessible and discreet counsel for clients across the Denver metro area. We know that these are sensitive matters, and our location offers the privacy you need.

We offer a Free Initial Consultation to determine if we are the right fit for your case and promise transparent communication and a strategy tailored specifically to you.

Understanding Available Remedies: What Does a Protection Order Actually Do?

A protection order gives someone a legally enforceable buffer of safety. It is issued in civil court, but once it is in place, the law treats its terms very differently. If the restrained person violates any part of the order, even by contacting you when the order forbids it, police can arrest them on the spot.

The court can grant several types of relief, including:

• No-Contact Provisions: This is the foundation of most orders. It legally stops the restrained person from any form of communication, such as calls, texts, emails, social media messages, or contact through third parties.
• Exclusion from the Family Home: A judge has the authority to order a party to vacate a shared residence immediately. This applies even if that person’s name is on the deed or lease.
• Temporary Care and Control of Children: A protection order serves as an emergency custody order, granting the petitioner temporary care of the children and defining (or suspending) the other parent’s parenting time.
• GPS and Sobriety Monitoring: In cases involving credible threats of stalking or substance abuse, the court mandates additional monitoring to ensure compliance and safety.

The Local Landscape: Where and How Protection Order Cases Unfold in Denver

Protection order cases in Denver are primarily heard at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, located at 520 W. Colfax Ave.

The environment here is not like what you see in standard divorce proceedings. The dockets are crowded, the hearings move quickly, and the atmosphere is charged with emotion and stress. You need an attorney who is not just familiar with the law, but also with the specific judges and procedures of the Denver District and County Courts.

The effectiveness of a civil order depends on its enforcement by local authorities. We work to ensure that the terms of your order are clear and enforceable, providing agencies like the Denver Police Department with the unambiguous directives they need to protect you.

High-Risk Scenarios in Denver

Certain aspects of life in Denver heighten the conflict in these cases:

• Custody Exchanges: We typically incorporate provisions for using designated safe exchange zones in the Denver area to prevent conflict during parenting time handoffs.
• Shared Housing: Denver’s high cost of living makes a court order to vacate the home a massive economic stressor. This fuels intense litigation, as the stakes are not just about personal safety but also about immediate financial survival.

Most importantly, Colorado statutes demand these hearings happen quickly. After a Temporary Protection Order is issued, the hearing for a Permanent Protection Order is usually set within 14 days. This rocket docket means you have absolutely no time to waste in hiring counsel and preparing your case.

Understanding Colorado Protection Order Laws

The Colorado Judicial Branch outlines a tiered system for protection orders, designed to provide both immediate and long-term safety.

The Three Tiers of Orders

• Emergency Protection Order: In urgent situations, law enforcement may request an emergency order on your behalf. These are very short-term and typically only used in active domestic violence calls.
• Temporary Protection Order (TPO): This is the first step for most petitioners. A TPO is granted ex parte, meaning only one side (the petitioner) is present. It is granted if a judge finds an “imminent danger” exists. This order lasts approximately 14 days, until the date set for the full hearing.
• Permanent Protection Order (PPO): After a hearing where both sides present evidence, a judge may issue a PPO. Despite the name, “permanent” in Colorado means it remains in effect indefinitely unless the court modifies or dismisses it.

The “Imminent Danger” Standard

To obtain a TPO, the law requires more than just feeling unsafe. Under C.R.S. 13-14-104.5, a judge must find that an “imminent danger exists to the person or persons seeking protection.”

This means we must present specific facts and credible threats that demonstrate an immediate risk of harm. Simply stating that you are afraid is not enough.

Burden of Proof: A Lower Bar

At the hearing for a permanent order, the petitioner must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence. This is the standard in most civil cases. It simply means proving it is “more likely than not” that the alleged acts occurred. This is a much lower burden than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard used in criminal cases.

Modifying a Permanent Order

Once a PPO is in place, it is difficult to change. Pursuant to C.R.S. 13-14-108, a restrained party must typically wait at least two years before they are permitted to file a motion to modify or dismiss the order.

While there is no formal statute of limitations to file for a protection order, delaying your petition after a threat or act of violence damages your credibility. A common question from the opposing side or the judge will be, “If you were so afraid, why did you wait until now to come to court?” This is why acting decisively is key.

Dealing with the Opposing Party and The Court System

One of the hardest truths about protection order hearings is that they sometimes boil down to a “he said/she said” scenario. There may not be police reports or eyewitnesses for every incident. In these situations, credibility is everything. The party that presents a clearer, more consistent, and more believable narrative to the judge is the one who is likely to prevail.

This is where having a seasoned attorney becomes invaluable. We know how to organize your story, present your evidence effectively, and challenge inconsistencies in the other party’s testimony.

Here’s What to Look Out For

• The Ambush: An opposing party might try to introduce photos, texts, or other evidence at the last minute, leaving you no time to prepare a response. We know the rules of evidence and will object to unfair tactics.
• Character Assassination: They may bring up irrelevant past mistakes, such as a DUI from five years ago or a past argument, to paint you as unstable or untrustworthy. Our job is to keep the focus on the facts that are legally relevant to the protection order.

Once the legal machinery has started, trying to “talk it out” or resolve things on your own is a mistake. It easily leads to a misunderstanding that the other side will frame as a violation of the temporary order, putting you at risk of arrest.

Strategic Steps to Take From Home (While We Build Your Case)

While we handle the legal strategy, there are several practical steps to take right now to protect yourself and strengthen your case.

• Practice Digital Hygiene. Do not post anything about the case, the other party, or your feelings on social media. A frustrated vent on Facebook will be screenshotted and used against you in court as evidence of your state of mind. Keep your case private.
• Start a Documentation Journal. Memory fades under stress, so immediately begin a log of past incidents. Write down dates, times, specific locations, and exact descriptions of what was said or done. The more detail you recall now, the better prepared we will be.
• Preserve All Evidence. Do not delete text messages, voicemails, emails, or call logs, even if they make you look bad. Deleting evidence, known as spoliation, looks far worse to a judge than an angry text message. Save everything and let us determine what is relevant.
• Compile a Witness List. Think of people who witnessed specific events, not just friends who can serve as character witnesses. A neighbor who heard shouting or a family member who saw an injury provides much stronger testimony than someone who simply says you’re a “good person.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Protection Orders

How fast can I get protection?

Many people receive a temporary order the same day they file. Courts move quickly because these situations involve immediate safety concerns. The protection becomes enforceable once the restrained person is formally served.

What if the restrained person refuses to be served?

The order cannot be enforced until service occurs, but the court offers alternate methods if standard service fails. Your attorney can request permission for substituted service or involve law enforcement to complete service.

Will the restrained person know where I live?

If disclosing your address puts you at risk, you can request that it be kept confidential. Colorado courts allow protected parties to use safe addresses or omit location details in filings.

Can the order include my children, other relatives, or my workplace?

Yes. If others are at risk, the judge can add them as protected parties. You can also request workplace and school protections to prevent the restrained person from showing up uninvited.

What if the restrained person tries to contact me?

You should not engage. Save any messages, calls, or attempts at contact and give them to your attorney. The restrained person violates the order by reaching out, and that evidence can help you at the hearing.

Take Control of Your Safety and Your Rights Today

Price Family Law gives you focused, forceful representation at a moment when the stakes are high and the timeline is tight. We step in immediately, organize your evidence, prepare you for what to expect, and push for the protections you need.

Call Price Family Law at (720) 615-1750 so we can start building your case today.

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Price Family Law

720 S Colorado Blvd 452 South
Denver, CO 80246
Ph: (720) 151-750