Intimate Relationships and Domestic Violence in Greeley

In defining Domestic Violence, the Colorado legislature has coined the term “intimate relationship.” This phrase is very vague in order to cover many different types of relationships, not just ones that include sex. Previously, sex was a determining factor in a Domestic Violence intimate relationship, but now, no sex is required in Greeley, Evans, and Windsor. The result is an expansion in the types of relationships encompassed by DV laws.

What is an Intimate Relationship According to the Law?

C.R.S. 18-6-800.3 – Colorado Domestic Violence Statute – defines “intimate relationship” as:

Note how under this definition, a man and woman who have been on one or two dates and have only kissed once could be considered in an “intimate relationship.”

The Colorado Supreme Court has added in three factors to consider when deciding if a relationship can be considered intimate:

1. The length and time the relationship existed.
2. The nature or type of relationship.
3. The frequency of interaction between the parties.

Can I Be Charged with a Domestic Violence Crime?

Simply, no. Domestic Violence is not a crime itself. It is instead a sentence enhancer the Weld County District Attorney will attach to any other crime. For example, taking the man and the woman who have been on two dates, if the woman decided she did not want to go on another date, but the man wasn’t accepting “no” for an answer and kept texting and calling her to get her to change her mind, she could call the Greeley Police and report him. Based on the evidence, he may be charged with Harassment – Domestic Violence in Weld, Morgan and Logan County. By adding the Domestic Violence piece to the charge, he would be facing harsher punishments, like Domestic Violence Treatment and loss of right to possess a firearm.