{"id":371967,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-06-09T14:06:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T19:06:06","slug":"colorado-family-law-on-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-family-law-on-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Family Law on Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Family Law on Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Domestic violence in Colorado is defined as a pattern of abusive acts between individuals in an intimate relationship, including spouses, former spouses, and parents sharing a child. The legal definition extends to acts, attempted acts, or threats of violence, coercion, stalking, or harassment. These actions, when proven, are classified as domestic violence under Colorado family law, impacting criminal charges, divorce, and child custody. <\/blockquote>\r\n

Most of us consider home to be a place of safety. For victims of domestic abuse, the opposite is often true. Domestic violence<\/a> occurs between people sharing certain close personal relationships. Colorado has laws in place to help victims escape their abusers.<\/p>\r\n

Colorado domestic violence statutes can be confusing. They also changed in January 2025. This article offers answers to questions about domestic violence. You’ll learn how it affects criminal charges, divorce proceedings, and child custody agreements<\/a>. Read on for a better understanding of domestic violence under family law in Colorado.<\/p>\r\n

I’ve heard both "domestic violence" and "domestic abuse" used. Which is the correct one?<\/h2>\r\n

Excellent question. Domestic violence was part of domestic abuse under Colorado law. As of January 1, 2025, that’s no longer the case<\/a>. The two terms now have separate legal definitions based mainly on the people involved.<\/p>\r\n

Under Colorado law<\/a>, domestic violence<\/b> occurs when the participants are (or were) involved in an intimate relationship. This includes spouses, former spouses, unmarried romantic partners, or parents with a child in common. It is sometimes called "intimate partner violence."<\/p>\r\n

Domestic abuse<\/b>, <\/b>on the other hand, involves:<\/p>\r\n