Restraining Orders

Colorado law doesn’t specifically say that someone under 18 (a minor) can file for their own order without a parent. However, a parent or guardian can file for a protection order on their behalf.¹ 

If a parent or guardian is not available, it may be possible to have someone else file on the minor’s behalf. The clerk’s office at your local courthouse should be able to tell you if they would accept a petition brought by an adult who is not the parent or guardian. 

You may want to contact a legal services organization or a court clerk for more information on minors requesting protection orders. See our Colorado Finding a Lawyer and Colorado Courthouse Locations pages for contact information.

Note: You cannot get a protection order against someone who is under ten years old.²

¹ Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-101(2.2); see Colo. R. of County Ct. Civ. P. Rule 317(c)
² Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-14-104.5(1)(a)