Reporting Stalking to Colorado Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Colorado.
In danger now? Call 911 · National DV Hotline 1-800-799-7233 · Crisis Line 988
Download the printable Colorado guide
PDF · free · no account needed
How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Colorado resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office for your specific city or county.
Start here: the Colorado Attorney General's Victim Assistance Program (720-508-6000) and the Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Center can point you to the right state or local office for your exact situation.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
Colorado State Patrol (Victim Assistance)
303-239-4400
Denver metro line; for other regions search “[your region] Colorado State Patrol non-emergency.”
Colorado Crisis Services
1-844-493-8255
24/7 state-run crisis line, call or text — operated by the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your area.
Colorado — Statewide Agencies
Colorado Attorney General — Victim Assistance Program
720-508-6000
Support and referrals for victims of crimes handled by the AG's office.
coag.gov/resources/victim-assistance ↗Colorado Division of Criminal Justice — Office for Victims Programs
1-888-282-1080
(303) 239-4442 · Oversight of Colorado's 22 judicial-district victim compensation programs.
dcj.colorado.gov ↗Colorado VINE (offender custody notification)
1-888-263-8463
Free, confidential notification if a stalker is released from jail or prison.
colorado-vine.com ↗Colorado Judicial Branch — Self-Help Center
Via courts.colorado.gov
Free official forms and instructions for filing a civil protection order.
courts.colorado.gov ↗Crime Victim Compensation (by judicial district)
Via your local District Attorney's Office
Colorado has 22 district-based compensation programs — your local DA's Victim/Witness Unit handles applications.
Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
Primary law enforcement in unincorporated parts of Colorado.
Your District Attorney's Victim/Witness Unit
Varies by judicial district
Handles Crime Victim Compensation applications and court support, in all 22 judicial districts.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Civil Protection Orders in Colorado
Civil Protection Order: a court order, requested in a separate civil action, that can require a stalker to stay away from you and have no contact. Available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Mandatory Protection Order: automatically issued by a judge if the stalker is criminally charged, as a condition of their case.
Cost: there is no fee to petition for a civil protection order in Colorado.
Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Center
Free, official instructions and downloadable forms for filing a civil protection order.
courts.colorado.gov ↗Where to file
The civil division of your county or district court — many have a self-help center on-site to assist with paperwork.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to Victim Assistance.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Go to your county or district court's civil division, or its self-help center, and ask for a civil protection order petition.
- 2Fill out the petition with as much detail as possible — dates, incidents, and any history of the person's behavior.
- 3File the forms with the court clerk; there is no filing fee in Colorado.
- 4A judge can issue a temporary protection order the same day, often without the other party present.
- 5The order is served on the other party by law enforcement — keep a copy with you, at home, and at work.
Specialized Support
Colorado Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
1-844-264-5437
1-844-CO-4-KIDS · 24/7, statewide, routes to the county where the child lives.
Colorado Adult Protective Services
1-844-264-5437
Same statewide hotline as above — for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an at-risk adult.
Colorado Civil Rights Division
303-894-2997
For stalking or harassment that also involves discrimination, including at work or in housing.
dora.colorado.gov/civil-rights ↗Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| Colorado State Patrol (Victim Assistance) | 303-239-4400 | Emergency |
| Colorado Crisis Services | 1-844-493-8255 | Emergency |
| Colorado Attorney General — Victim Assistance Program | 720-508-6000 | Statewide |
| Colorado Division of Criminal Justice — Office for Victims Programs | 1-888-282-1080 | Statewide |
| Colorado VINE (offender custody notification) | 1-888-263-8463 | Statewide |
| Colorado Judicial Branch — Self-Help Center | Via courts.colorado.gov | Statewide |
| Crime Victim Compensation (by judicial district) | Via your local District Attorney's Office | Statewide |
| Colorado Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline | 1-844-264-5437 | Specialized |
| Colorado Adult Protective Services | 1-844-264-5437 | Specialized |
| Colorado Civil Rights Division | 303-894-2997 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Colorado
How do I report stalking in Colorado?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Colorado?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Colorado?
Civil Protection Order: a court order, requested in a separate civil action, that can require a stalker to stay away from you and have no contact. Available regardless of your relationship to the stalker. Mandatory Protection Order: automatically issued by a judge if the stalker is criminally charged, as a condition of their case. Cost: there is no fee to petition for a civil protection order in Colorado.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Colorado?
No — Colorado's protective-order process does not charge a filing fee, and many courts also waive related costs for stalking victims. The court listed in this guide can confirm current procedures before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado has a victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. Contact Crime Victim Compensation (by judicial district) at Via your local District Attorney's Office.
What counts as stalking under Colorado law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Colorado, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Colorado if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Colorado?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Colorado?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Colorado reporting guide?
You can download the free Colorado reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Colorado-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
Read the full disclaimer