Harassment by neighbors can take many forms, including yelling obscenities; loud and disruptive noises (especially at night) from parties, fights, or other activities; threatening or abusive behavior; or damage to your home or yard by pets.

If your neighbor’s behavior is merely annoying and not abusive, threatening, or criminal conduct, you may be able to resolve the issue with a courteous discussion. But if your neighbor’s conduct is threatening, abusive, violates a noise ordinance, or is a criminal offense such as stalking, trespassing, or peeping, for example, you may be able to get assistance from the police (call 911 in an emergency) or from the civil courts in the form of a restraining order.

In Colorado, harassment by neighbors is addressed under various state statutes and local ordinances. If the behavior includes yelling obscenities, loud noises, threatening behavior, or damage to property, it may fall under Colorado's harassment laws (C.R.S. 18-9-111), which define harassment to include actions such as striking, shoving, kicking, or otherwise touching a person or subjecting them to physical contact, or direct communication of obscene language or gestures in a public place, among other things. If the conduct is severe enough, it could be considered criminal and warrant police intervention. For non-emergency situations that are disruptive but may not rise to the level of criminal conduct, such as noise complaints, local noise ordinances would apply, and residents can contact local law enforcement or code enforcement agencies. In cases where the neighbor's behavior is threatening or abusive, victims can seek a civil restraining order to prohibit further contact or harassment. It's important to document incidents and, if necessary, seek the assistance of an attorney to navigate the legal process for obtaining a restraining order or taking other legal action.