Starting January 1, 2025, Colorado will enforce updated rules for child car seats to improve safety for young passengers.
The new law aims to reduce injuries and deaths caused by improper car seat use.
Parents and guardians should be aware of these changes to keep their children safe on the road.
Key Changes in Child Car Seat Requirements
The new law extends the age for booster seat use to 9 years old, replacing the previous requirement of under 8.
This change ensures older children are better protected while riding in vehicles.
Additionally, children under 2 years old and weighing less than 40 pounds must now ride in a rear-facing car seat, which offers superior protection in crashes.
Another significant change is that all children under 18 must now be properly restrained in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, depending on their size and age.
Previously, this requirement only applied to children under 16.
These updates reflect the latest safety recommendations and aim to provide consistent protection for all minors.
Importance of Proper Installation
Car crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States.
In Colorado, studies show that 78% of car seats inspected were either misused or installed incorrectly.
This misuse increases the risk of injury during an accident, making proper installation critical for child safety.
Rear-facing car seats are particularly important because they protect a child’s head, neck, and spine in a crash.
These seats provide extra support during front-end collisions, the most common type of crash.
Parents are encouraged to double-check their car seat setups to ensure their children are fully protected.
Resources for Parents
To help parents with car seat installation, Colorado offers free guidance at over 100 inspection stations across the state.
Certified technicians provide hands-on lessons to ensure car seats are set up correctly.
Each session lasts about 20–30 minutes and can make a significant difference in keeping children safe.
Parents should also be cautious about counterfeit car seats and always check the labels, expiration dates, and certifications.
Registering car seats with the manufacturer is crucial, as it ensures you’ll be notified of any recalls.
These resources empower caregivers to keep their children secure on every trip.
