Colorado Code § 16-13-308

Temporary restraining order - preliminary injunction - when to issue
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(1) (a) If probable cause for the existence of a class 1 public nuisance is shown to the court by
means of a complaint supported by an affidavit, the court shall issue a temporary restraining
order to abate and prevent the continuance or recurrence of the nuisance or to secure property
subject to forfeiture pursuant to this part 3. Such temporary restraining order shall:
(I) Direct the sheriff or a peace officer to seize and, where applicable, close the public
nuisance and keep the same effectually closed against its use for any purpose until further order
of the court;
(II) Direct the seizure or holding, if previously seized, of all personal property subject to
the provisions of this part 3; and
(III) Restrain and enjoin persons from selling, transferring, encumbering, damaging,
destroying, or using as security for a bond any property subject to this part 3.
(b) The temporary restraining order may make such provisions as the court finds
reasonable for the maintenance, utilities, insurance, and security with respect to real property
subject to a public nuisance temporary restraining order, including imposing those
responsibilities on the owner or defendant, if said owner or defendant is allowed reasonable
access to the property consistent with those limited purposes.
(c) The court may order that all fixtures and contents of a public nuisance be stored on
the premises of such public nuisance while an action under this part 3 is pending.
(d) The court may require that documents evidencing title or registration or that keys to
property subject to this part 3 be deposited with a sheriff or peace officer, to be kept in the
constructive custody of the court, while an action under this part 3 is pending.
(e) The court may require the sheriff or peace officer executing the order to post a copy
of the order on property subject to the order.
(f) Any person with an ownership interest adversely affected by a temporary restraining
order issued pursuant to this subsection (1) may file a motion to vacate the temporary restraining
order. Such motion shall be filed within fourteen days of the time said person is served with or
otherwise has notice of the temporary restraining order. The motion shall be set for hearing
within fourteen days after its filing. At said hearing, the court shall determine whether the
various provisions of the temporary restraining order should remain in effect pending final
determination of the action. No part of the temporary restraining order shall be vacated unless
the proponent of the motion demonstrates that there is no probable cause to believe that a public
nuisance exists or that the public nuisance acts underlying the action occurred, or that the
proponent has a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on the merits of the case with respect to the
temporary seizure or closure of the property. No issue regarding the forfeiture of the property
shall be raised at the hearing on the motion, except the court may consider an innocent owner
defense pursuant to section 16-13-303 (5.2) by a proponent who has not been charged in a
parallel criminal action arising from the same activity giving rise to the forfeiture proceedings.
When the innocent owner defense is raised as grounds for vacating the order, the issues at the
hearing shall be limited to modifying the order to provide for the use of the property during the
pendency of the action by an innocent owner, but only if such use is consistent with preserving it
for forfeiture as to any other interest. Such a modifying order may include, without limitation,
reasonable provisions for the continued occupancy of a residence, or the operation of a business
and the sale or disposition of business inventory. However, no such modifying order shall
include the release of currency. The determination of the facts by the court at the hearing is
independent of and shall not be considered in the determination of the same or similar facts in
the adjudication of any criminal charges arising out of the same occurrences. Any motion to
vacate a temporary restraining order shall state specifically the factual and legal grounds upon
which it is based, and only those grounds may be considered at the hearing. Until vacated, the
temporary restraining order shall remain in full force and effect.
(2) In an action to abate a class 2 public nuisance, the court may, as a part of a
preliminary injunction, direct the sheriff to seize and close such public nuisance and to keep the
same effectually closed against its use for any purpose, until further order of the court. While the
preliminary injunction remains in effect, the building or place seized and closed, and all personal
property seized thereunder, shall be subject to the orders of the court.
(3) Temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions for public nuisances other
than class 1 public nuisances may be issued as provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure.
No bond or security shall be required of the district attorney or the people of the state in any
action to abate a public nuisance.

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