CO HB1148

Mandatory protection orders issued at arraignment or first court appearance must now use a standardized form identifying protected persons, locations, and whether the case involves domestic violence or victim rights crimes

Courts must inform defendants that violating a protection order may constitute a misdemeanor offense or, for witness/victim intimidation or retaliation, a felony offense

Protection orders are limited to protecting witnesses and victims only—courts cannot include orders protecting defendants from their own substance use or conditions related to pretrial release/bond compliance

Peace officers gain discretion to issue a summons instead of mandatory arrest for certain protection order violations, including alcohol/drug possession violations and failure to file required affidavits

Courts must review and verify protection order provisions at sentencing; orders may be dismissed in non-domestic violence cases if provisions are no longer necessary

Effective July 1, 2025, applying to protection orders issued for offenses committed on or after that date