Colorado Car Seat Laws 2024 (Rear, Forward & Booster)

Under Colorado car seat laws, all children under the age of 8 years have to be secured in an appropriate child restraint.

If the parent is traveling with the child, they will be liable for any violation. Otherwise, the vehicle driver will be responsible. Failure to use a car seat carries a fine of $65 and a $6 surcharge. 

Disclaimer: This content does not constitute legal advice. It is solely for informational purposes. Always check the original source of the law for the latest version.

• Rear-Facing
• Forward-Facing 
• Booster 
• Front Seat
• Seat Belt
• Taxi Seat
• Ridesharing Seat
• Replacement
• Alone in Car
• Choosing a Seat
• Installation Help

Colorado Car Seat Laws

Colorado Rear-Facing Car Seat Law

According to the rear-facing car seat law in Colorado, a child less than 1 year old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing seat. (1) The seat must meet the applicable federal safety standards. 

Though the rear-facing car seat age in Colorado is 1 year, an infant should continue riding in their rear-facing seat till they reach its maximum weight or height limit set by the manufacturer. 

These requirements do not apply if the child is being transported in a vehicle in case of a medical or life-threatening emergency and a car seat is unavailable.

Violating Colorado rear-facing child seat law is a primary enforcement action. You can be stopped for not properly securing your child. It is a class B traffic infraction and carries a fine of $65 and a $6 surcharge. 

Age: Newborn to 1 year
Weight: Less than 20 pounds
Penalty: $65 and a $6 surcharge. 

Colorado Forward-Facing Car Seat Law

According to the forward-facing car seat law in Colorado, a child between 1 to 4 years old and weighing between 20 to 40 pounds has to be secured in a forward-facing seat with an internal harness. (1)

The forward-facing car seat age in Colorado is 1 to 4 years. But your child should continue riding in a forward-facing seat till they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat prescribed by the manufacturer. 

A violation of  Colorado forward-facing child seat law is a primary enforcement action. This means that law enforcement officers do not have to stop you for another driving offense before they can book you for not securing your child in a car seat. The violation carries a fine of $65 and a surcharge of $6. 

Age: 1 to 4 years
Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
Penalty: $65 and a $6 surcharge.

Colorado Booster Seat Law

According to the child booster seat law in Colorado, children who are between 4 to 8 years old and have outgrown their forward-facing seats can ride in booster seats. (1) 

A booster seat raises the height of your child and allows the seat belt to fit them perfectly. Depending on your requirements, you can choose a high-back or backless booster seat

The booster seat age in Colorado is 4 to 8 years. But you should keep your child in a booster seat till they cross its height or weight limits set by the manufacturer. There is no need for a booster seat in situations where the child is being carried in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

Violating Colorado booster seat requirements is a class B traffic infraction. It is punishable with a fine of $65 and a $6 surcharge.  

Age: 4 to 8 years
Penalty: $65 and a $6 surcharge.

Colorado Child Front Seat Law

According to the child front seat law in Colorado, children younger than 1 year and weighing less than 20 pounds must travel in the backseat in a rear-facing car seat. (1) 

The front seat age in Colorado is 1 year. However, it is safer for children to ride in the back seat as the front airbags can be dangerous for them. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ride in the backseat till they are 13 years old. 

If it is absolutely necessary, a child can ride in the front seat in a child restraint that is ideal for their height and weight. In case of a rear-facing seat, the passenger-side airbag must be deactivated. The vehicle seat must be pushed as far back from the airbag as possible. 

A violation of these requirements carries a fine of $65 and a surcharge of $6.

Age: 1+ years (13+ years recommended)
Penalty: $65 and a $6 surcharge.

Colorado Child Seat Belt Law

According to the child seat belt law in Colorado, children who are at least 8 years old and less than 16 years old have to wear an adult safety belt. (1) This applies whether they are in the backseat or the front seat.

The requirements of this provision are met when the seat belt properly fits across the chest and thighs of the child. 

If the parents of the child are in the vehicle, then they are responsible for ensuring that their child is safely buckled as per the seat belt rules in Colorado. If the parents are not in the vehicle, then the driver is responsible if the child is not wearing a seat belt.

Violating Colorado children’s seat belt law is a class B traffic infraction. It carries a $65 penalty and a $6 surcharge.

Age: 8 to 16 years
Penalty: $65 and a $6 surcharge.

Colorado Taxi Child Seat Law

According to the taxi child seat law in Colorado, taxis are not required to have a child passenger safety system in place. Colorado child seat laws exempt them from their purview. (2) 

The exemption for taxis does not mean that children should not use a car seat. As parents and caregivers, it is the safest option for you to carry a taxi child seat in Colorado. Depending on your child’s age as per the Colorado state law, you can choose a rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster car seat that is appropriate for their height and weight. 

When installing the car seat in a taxi, you must ensure that it is securely fixed. You can refer to the car seat manual for proper installation and take the driver’s assistance. 

Colorado Ridesharing Child Seat Law

There is no clear ridesharing child seat law in Colorado. 

Car seat laws in Colorado require all children under the age of 8 years to be restrained in an appropriate car seat. (1) They clearly state that if the parent is present in the vehicle, they are responsible for securing the child in a car seat. In the absence of the parent, it is the driver’s responsibility.  

However, there is no mention of ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft. 

The best option, in this case, is for either the driver or the parents/caregivers to provide an appropriate child seat. This can mean a rear-facing, forward-facing or a booster seat depending on the child’s age. 

Check with the driver if they have a car seat or carry your own. 

Colorado Child Seat Replacement Law

There is no definite child seat replacement law in Colorado. However, you must replace your child safety seat if it is involved in an accident or has expired. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends child seat replacement after an accident, especially after a moderate or severe crash. In case of a low impact accident, there is no urgent need to replace the car seat.  A low impact crash is where no passenger is injured, the door nearest to the car seat is not damaged and the seat itself shows no visible damage.

Apart from replacing the seat after an accident in Colorado, you must also replace it after it has expired or has been recalled. Check the manufacturer’s website or car seat sticker for more information. 

Leaving Child in the Car in Colorado

There is no specific law on leaving a child in a vehicle in Colorado. However, it is not advised to leave your child alone in the vehicle even for a minute. The AAP has highlighted the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. 

The most common risk is the child suffering a heat stroke due to the rapid temperature rise in the car. It can cause severe brain injury or even death. Other dangers include getting kidnapped or trapped in the vehicle or setting the vehicle in motion.

Even though leaving a child in the car in Colorado is not technically illegal, it is a dangerous practice. If the child is injured, the adult responsible for the act can face serious legal consequences and be booked under stricter sections of child abuse.

Choosing a Child Car Seat in Colorado

Under Colorado car seat regulations, a car seat must meet the applicable federal safety standards. Thus,  when choosing a car seat in Colorado, you must ensure that you adhere to this requirement. 

For a baby under 1 year old and weighing less than 20 pounds, a rear-facing seat is the best car seat to use in Colorado. They can then move to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. After they outgrow these, they should use booster seats. The best booster seat to use in Colorado is one that raises your child up so that the seat belt fits them perfectly. 

Car Seat Installation Help in Colorado

Under the law, all child passenger safety seats in Colorado must meet federal safety standards and be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. You have to refer to the car seat guide also. All this can seem complicated and you may not always succeed in installing the car seat correctly. To help you with it, there are different stations with certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians. They help you with the installation and inspection of car seats. Some of these stations are:

• Boulder Fire-Rescue
• City of Federal Heights
• South Metro Fire Rescue
• Longmont Public Safety Department
• Vail Health Hospital
• City of Grand Junction Fire Department

Colorado Car Seat Safety Resources

• Colorado Department of Transportation: The Department’s website contains a list of resources for parents, caregivers as well as technicians. It explains the car seat law and has multilingual text and video resources to guide you with installation. A separate FAQ section provides answers to the most common questions. 
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: The department provides information on the law, best recommendations and inspection stations for assistance with car seat installation.
• Children’s Hospital Colorado: A leading hospital in Colorado, it has a comprehensive guide on how to use the different types of car seats and the safest practice for each. 

FAQ

How long should a child ride in a rear-facing car seat in Colorado? 

As per the law, a child has to ride in a rear-facing seat till they are under the age of 1 year and weigh less than 20 pounds.

Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat in Colorado?

No, you cannot put a rear-facing seat in the front seat in Colorado. If you do put it in front, the front seat airbag must be deactivated. 

Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the middle rear seat in Colorado?

You can put a rear-facing car seat in the middle rear seat but it must fit properly. Check the car seat as well as your vehicle’s manuals.

When can a baby face forward in a car seat in Colorado?

A child can face forward in a car seat in Colorado after they turn 1 year old and weigh between 20 to 40 pounds. 

How old for a booster seat in Colorado?

Children who are at least 4 years old can ride in a booster seat.  But they should ride in a booster seat once they outgrow their forward-facing seat. 

When to use a backless booster seat in Colorado?

You can use a backless booster seat if your vehicle seat has a headrest and the child’s ears are not higher than the seat back. 

When can a child sit in the front seat with a booster in Colorado?

It is recommended that children under 13 years old ride in the backseat. But they can ride in the front seat with a booster if they are between 4 to 8 years old. 

When can a child stop using a booster seat in Colorado?

A child can stop using a booster seat when they turn 8 years old or outgrow their booster seat. They can then start using the seatbelt. 

When can a child sit in the front seat in Colorado?

Colorado law allows a child to sit in the front seat in a car seat after they turn 1 year old. However, children should ride in the backseat till they are 13 years old. 

When to switch from 5 point harness to a seat belt in Colorado?

When the child outgrows the height and weight limits of the 5-point harness, they can switch to wearing a seat belt in a booster seat. 

When can a child use a regular seat belt in Colorado?

Under the law, a child can start using a regular seat belt once they are 8 years old or have outgrown the height and weight limits of their booster seat. 

Do you need a car seat in a taxi in Colorado?

Taxis are not required to follow child seat requirements in Colorado. However, it is recommended that you carry an appropriate car seat for your child’s safety. 

Do you need a car seat in a Uber in Colorado?

The law is silent. But it is best if you carry a car seat for your child’s protection. You will also avoid any liability under the law.  

Do you need a car seat in a Lyft in Colorado?

The law is not clear. But you should carry a car seat to ensure that your child is safe and also avoid potential liability.