Harassment Lawyers in Fort Collins, CO
What’s the Difference Between Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602 and Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111?

Have you been accused of following someone leading to a Harassment or Stalking charge? Call O'Malley Law Office today!

Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, and Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602, can both be charged in Fort Collins for following another person.  Even so, these offenses are overall different from each other – so much so that Harassment is a misdemeanor, while Stalking is a felony and Extraordinary Risk crime.  If you’ve been charged with either offense, it is critical that you act fast to protect your future.  Don’t wait, and contact our top Harassment lawyers in Fort Collins, CO to discuss your case.

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Colorado’s Law on Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111 at the Larimer County Courts

Legal Definition of Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602 in Fort Collins

Stalking vs. Harassment in Loveland and Estes Park – What’s the Difference?

Colorado’s Law on Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111 at the Larimer County Courts

Colorado’s law on Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, as it relates to following another person, is as follows at the Larimer County Courts:

(1) A person commits harassment if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, he or she:

(c) Follows a person in or about a public place.

Legal Definition of Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602 in Fort Collins

Similarly, in Fort Collins, the legal definition of Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602, is:

(1) A person commits stalking if directly, or indirectly through another person, the person knowingly:

 (a) Makes a credible threat to another person and, in connection with the threat, repeatedly follows, approaches, contacts, or places under surveillance that person, a member of that person’s immediate family, or someone with whom that person has or has had a continuing relationship; or

 (b) Makes a credible threat to another person and, in connection with the threat, repeatedly makes any form of communication with that person, a member of that person’s immediate family, or someone with whom that person has or has had a continuing relationship, regardless of whether a conversation ensues; or

 (c) Repeatedly follows, approaches, contacts, places under surveillance, or makes any form of communication with another person, a member of that person’s immediate family, or someone with whom that person has or has had a continuing relationship in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to suffer serious emotional distress and does cause that person, a member of that person’s immediate family, or someone with whom that person has or has had a continuing relationship to suffer serious emotional distress.

Stalking vs. Harassment in Loveland and Estes Park – What’s the Difference?

Stalking and Harassment share some similarities in Loveland and Estes Park, given that either can be charged for following another person.  Even so, they are overall very different charges.  Here are the primary differences between these two charges:

Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111

Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602

  • One-time action
  • Following another person takes place in public
  • The alleged victim feels harassed, annoyed, or alarmed
  • Misdemeanor offense
  • Behavior takes place more than once and is repeated over several days, weeks, months, or even years
  • Following the other person may take place anywhere
  • The alleged victim feels “serious emotional distress”
  • Felony offense + Extraordinary Risk crime

Even with these differences, there is one great similarity between these charges: either can result in devastating consequences to your future.  If you have been charged with Harassment or Stalking, don’t wait to take action.  Contact the best Fort Collins criminal defense lawyers today, and together, we can protect your future.


If you’ve been charged with Stalking or Harassment, always remember to be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent.  Never discuss your charges with the Fort Collins Police or Larimer County Sheriff.  Then call 970-658-0007 to get in contact with a top Larimer County criminal defense lawyer and discuss your case today.  Together, we can protect your future.

The location for the Larimer County Justice Center is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!

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