What Is the Colorado Child Protective Seat Law?

Children under four must ride in car seats according to Colorado law.

Colorado's child car seat laws help keep children safe. Research shows that children under four have a 47 percent increased chance of survival when they're strapped in the proper safety seat.

Infants

Colorado law requires infants to remain in a rear-facing car seat until they're one year old and 20 pounds. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a car with passenger-side airbags.

Toddlers

Place children between the ages of one and four who weigh 20 to 40 pounds in a front-facing car seat.

Older Children

Children ages 4 to 6 who are less than 55 inches tall should sit in a booster seat. When they are tall enough to meet the Five-Step Test, they should use a regular seat belt.

Exemptions

Colorado seat belt laws do not apply when you are transporting a child for a medical emergency, the child is riding in a school bus or if a two-point lap belt is the only available restraint in a particular vehicle for a child older than four but less than 55 inches tall.

Penalties

You can get pulled over and ticketed in Colorado if infants and children in your car are not properly restrained with a seat belt or a car seat. (You can only get ticketed for improperly using a booster seat if you're pulled over for another violation.) The fine is $82 minimum for each violation.

References

• Colorado Child Passenger Safety: Colorado CPS Law
• Car Safety: Child Carseat Safety FAQ
• Colorado: Preventing Motor Vehicle Occupant Injuries in Children Ages 0-14

Resources

• Safety Belt Safe: Boosters Are For Big Kids
• Safe Car: Parents & Caregivers