Colorado, like all other 49 states and the District of Columbia, recognizes that stalking is a serious issue. To prevent stalking behavior from escalating into behavior that results in dire physical consequences, the state has adopted several provisions that encourage and authorize effective intervention. You can find those provisions at the Stalking Resource Center, a program of The National Center for Victims of Crime.
Per Colorado law, a person is guilty of stalking, directly or indirectly, if he or she knowingly makes a convincing threat to another person and, in conjunction with the treat, repeatedly contacts, approaches, follows or places under surveillance another person or someone with whom the victim has a relationship. Stalking often causes severe emotional distress for the victim, though the victim need not prove emotional distress for the courts to intervene. “Repeatedly” simply means that the conduct occurred on more than one occasion.
Colorado views stalking as a risky and harmful crime and punishes those who engage in it accordingly. The state categorizes the crime as a class 5 felony. However, if at the time of the offense, the perpetrator had in place against him or her a temporary or permanent injunction, protection order or condition of probation or bond, the state elevates the offense to a class 4 felony. If a person has a prior conviction for a similar offense, he or she commits a class 4 felony.
The content of this article is not meant to serve as legal advice. It is for informational purposes only.
