Harassment is one of the most commonly charged misdemeanors in Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado, and one of the most misunderstood.
You can be charged for yelling, texting, arguing, or even sending someone unwanted social media messages. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how serious a Harassment charge can be until they’re already in handcuffs or facing a court date.
At O’Malley Law Office, we’ve helped countless clients across Colorado fight back against Harassment allegations. Here’s what you need to know if you or someone you love has been charged.
What Is Harassment Under Colorado Law? A Fort Collins Harassment Lawyer Explains
Fort Collins, Colorado’s Harassment law is found in C.R.S. § 18-9-111. It covers a wide range of behaviors, from physical contact to communication that’s considered abusive, threatening, or obscene.
You can be charged with Harassment if you intend to annoy, harass, or alarm someone by doing any of the following:
- Striking, shoving, or kicking another person
- Following someone in public repeatedly
- Making obscene gestures or language in a public place
- Repeated unwanted contact via phone, text, email, or social media
- Threatening or intimidating messages
- Insulting or taunting someone in a way that provokes violence
- Communicating at inconvenient hours or anonymously in a way that causes distress
The key legal element in these cases is intent. Prosecutors must prove you acted deliberately to harass or alarm the other person.
Common Situations That Lead to Harassment Charges in Larimer County
In Larimer County, Harassment charges often arise from:
- Arguments between partners or exes
- Text or social media disputes
- Neighbor conflicts
- Public confrontations that turn physical or verbal
- Retaliatory or false allegations in breakups or divorces
In many cases, the police will err on the side of making an arrest, especially in domestic situations, even if both parties were involved or the facts are unclear.
Is Harassment a Misdemeanor or Felony in Estes Park, Colorado?
Most Harassment charges in Estes Park, Colorado are misdemeanors.
|
Type of Harassment |
Charge Level |
Penalties |
| General Harassment (first-time offense) | Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor | Class 1: Up to 364 days jail and/or $1,000 fineClass 2: Up to 120 days in jail and/or $750 fine |
| Harassment motivated by bias or prejudice | Class 1 misdemeanor (bias-motivated crime) | Up to 364 days jail and/or $1,000 fine |
| Harassment involving repeated contact or stalking-type behavior | Can escalate to stalking (a felony) under C.R.S. § 18-3-602 |
Harassment may also lead to:
- Protection or restraining orders
- Loss of custody or visitation rights
- Job consequences, especially for professionals or those with background checks
Harassment vs. Free Speech: What’s the Line in Larimer County?
Courts in Larimer County and across Colorado have ruled that not all offensive speech is Harassment. For example:
- Simply being rude, critical, or opinionated is not illegal
- The First Amendment protects many types of expression, even if others find it upsetting
However, true threats, obscene language directed at someone, or repeated unwanted contact can cross the line into criminal behavior.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Harassment, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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