🚗❤️ Big Changes to Colorado’s Car Seat Laws for 2025 🚗❤️
Hold onto your booster seats, Colorado parents! Starting January 1, 2025, new car seat regulations are rolling out to enhance child safety on the roads. Let’s buckle up and navigate these updates together! 🛣️👶
1. Rear-Facing Car Seats:
What’s New? Children under 2 years old and weighing less than 40 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, placed in the back seat if available.
Why the Change? Previously, the requirement was for children under 1 year and under 20 pounds. This adjustment aligns with research indicating that rear-facing seats offer better protection for infants and toddlers in crashes.
2. Forward-Facing Car Seats:
What’s New? Children aged 2 to 4 years and weighing at least 20 pounds can transition to a forward-facing car seat, still placed in the back seat if available. However, it’s recommended to keep children rear-facing as long as possible within the seat’s weight and height limits.
Why the Change? The previous minimum weight for forward-facing seats was 20 pounds, with no specific age mentioned. The new guidelines emphasize age and weight to ensure optimal safety.
3. Booster Seats:
What’s New? Children must now use a booster seat until they are 9 years old (previously under 8 years old) and at least 40 pounds. The booster should be used in the back seat if available.
Why the Change? Extending the booster seat requirement ensures that seat belts fit children properly, reducing the risk of injury.
4. Seat Belts:
What’s New? All passengers under 18 years old must be properly restrained with a seat belt or appropriate child restraint system.
Why the Change? Previously, the law applied to those under 16. This expansion aims to enhance safety for all minors.
5. Front Seat Restrictions:
What’s New? Children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat when available. This isn’t a new law but remains a strong recommendation to maximize safety.
Why the Emphasis? The back seat is generally safer for younger passengers, keeping them farther from potential impact zones.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
What’s New? Parents and caregivers are responsible for properly restraining a child and will be ticketed if they fail to do so.
Why the Enforcement? Ensuring compliance with these laws is crucial for the safety of child passengers.
Resources for Parents:
Car Seat Checks: Parents and caregivers can have their car seats checked for free by a certified technician to ensure proper installation and fit. To locate a car seat inspection location near you, visit CarSeatsColorado.com.
Assistance Programs: If you are unable to afford a car seat for your child(ren), organizations like WeeCycle, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and SafeKids Colorado Springs have programs through which families can get a free or low-cost car seat. Visit their websites for more information.
Stay informed, stay compliant, and keep those precious passengers safe! For more details, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Child Passenger Safety page. 🚗❤️
Note: Always refer to the official Colorado Department of Transportation website or consult with certified child passenger safety technicians for the most accurate and personalized advice.

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