In moments of heated tension, it’s natural to feel the urge to defend yourself—especially when someone is being verbally aggressive. But when words start flying, can fists follow? Specifically, in Colorado, is it legal to hit someone for being verbally aggressive?
The short and clear answer: No, you cannot legally hit someone just for being verbally aggressive in Colorado. Doing so can get you charged with assault, regardless of what was said to provoke you.
Let’s break down the legal reasoning, your rights, and what you can do when faced with verbal aggression.
What the Law Says in Colorado
Under Colorado law, physical violence in response to words—even aggressive, loud, or offensive ones—is generally not legally justified. The key legal points come from:
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-204: This defines third-degree assault as knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person.
- Self-defense laws (C.R.S. § 18-1-704): These allow you to use physical force only when there’s a reasonable belief that you are in imminent danger of physical harm.
That means verbal aggression alone—no matter how nasty—does not meet the threshold for using physical force in self-defense.
Verbal Aggression vs. Physical Threats
Let’s get specific. Here’s the difference between what’s annoying and hurtful versus what’s legally actionable:
| Situation | Can You Legally Hit Someone? |
|---|---|
| They insult you | No |
| They scream or curse at you | No |
| They threaten violence but don’t act on it | Still No (unless threat is credible and immediate) |
| They raise a fist or move to strike you | Possibly Yes – if you reasonably fear immediate harm |
| They physically attack you | Yes – you may defend yourself proportionally |
Verbal aggression is not a physical threat. The law requires an immediate threat of bodily harm before physical self-defense is justified.
What Could Happen if You Hit Someone
If you physically strike someone in response to verbal abuse, you may face criminal charges, such as:
- Assault (misdemeanor or felony, depending on the injury)
- Disorderly conduct
- Battery (in civil court)
You could also be sued for damages in civil court—even if you were provoked by someone’s words. The law doesn’t excuse violence unless you’re under imminent threat.
What Are Your Legal Options Instead?
Even though you can’t legally hit someone for being verbally aggressive, you still have some powerful tools at your disposal:
- Walk Away – Always your safest move.
- Call Law Enforcement – Especially if the person is threatening or harassing you.
- File a Harassment Complaint – In Colorado, persistent verbal aggression may fall under C.R.S. § 18-9-111, which defines harassment.
- Seek a Restraining Order – If someone is repeatedly aggressive or threatening, you can apply for protection through the courts.
- Document the Incident – Take notes, record video if safe and legal, and report behavior to authorities.
Self-Defense: The Legal Gray Area
While verbal abuse doesn’t justify violence, context matters. If someone’s verbal aggression includes credible threats (like “I’m going to kill you” while they reach into their coat), the law may consider that an imminent threat.
In such cases, if you genuinely believe you’re about to be attacked, Colorado’s self-defense laws may protect your actions—but only if your response is proportional. You can’t respond to a shove with a punch to the face, and you definitely can’t punch someone for yelling at you.
Conclusion
In Colorado, you cannot legally hit someone just because they’re being verbally aggressive. While it’s understandable to feel provoked, the law is clear: words alone are not a reason for violence. Acting physically in response could land you in legal trouble—including assault charges.
If you feel threatened or harassed, don’t fight back with fists—fight back with your legal rights. Protect yourself the smart way, not the risky way.
