Colorado Car Seat Safety Laws

Colorado has strict car seat laws designed to protect young passengers based on age, weight, and height. Recent updates effective January 1, 2025, strengthen these regulations to reduce the risk of serious injuries in car accidents. Failing to comply can result in fines and increased liability if an improperly restrained child is injured in a crash.

If a defective car seat or another driver’s negligence contributes to a collision, a car accident lawyer in Colorado from our team can help you understand your legal options. In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know about the state’s car seat laws, penalties for violations, and what to do if a defective car seat causes an injury.

Colorado Car Seat Laws and National Safety Recommendations

Colorado’s child passenger safety laws are designed to protect young passengers and align closely with national safety recommendations. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) provides guidelines that law enforcement agencies use to execute these regulations, including:

• Rear-facing seats: Required for infants under 1 year old and 20 lbs.
• Forward-facing seats: Required for children over 1 year and at least 20 lbs.
• Booster seats: Required for children 4-8 years old.
• Seatbelt only: Allowed for ages 8-15.

These guidelines aim to provide age-appropriate restraint systems that offer the best protection in the event of a collision. It’s important to note that these requirements have been updated to reflect the latest safety research and recommendations.

What Are the Changes in Colorado’s 2025 Car Seat Law?

The 2025 updates to Colorado’s car seat laws introduce the following changes:

• Rear-facing seats are now required until age 2 or 40 lbs.
• Booster seats are now required until age 9.
• Seatbelt requirement extended until age 18.
• Fines for violations increased to $84.50.

Knowing Colorado’s car insurance minimum requirements is crucial if a child is improperly restrained in an accident, as this can impact how much is recovered for medical expenses and damages. Also, insurers may argue that non-compliance worsened injuries, reducing compensation under the state’s comparative negligence rule.

What Are the Penalties for Violating Colorado Car Seat Laws?

Non-compliance with Colorado’s car seat regulations can result in several consequences, including:

• Fines up to $65 (now increased to $84.50), plus additional surcharges.
• Points on driver’s license, which can affect driving privileges.
• Potential liability in car accidents if a child is injured due to improper restraint.

Violating the state’s child restraint laws is a primary enforcement action, meaning officers can issue a ticket without another traffic violation. Stay informed about Colorado’s child restraint requirements to ensure both legal compliance and safer travel for young passengers.

Where to Get a Car Seat Installed & Safety Inspections in Colorado

The effectiveness of car seats depends on proper installation, and failing to do so increases the risk of serious injuries in an accident. To help minimize these risks, Colorado offers free car seat checks through its CPS (Child Passenger Safety) technician programs, helping parents install seats correctly and minimize injury risks in accidents.

Where to Get Your Car Seat Checked

• Fire stations and police departments: Many offer free safety checks to assist parents and caregivers.
• CDOT programs: Provide discounted or free car seats to qualifying families, ensuring accessibility to proper restraint systems.
• Local hospitals: Often offer car seat installation assistance for new parents, allowing newborns to have a safe start.

Exceptions to Colorado Car Seat Laws

While adherence to car seat laws is crucial, certain situations allow for exemptions. According to C.R.S § 42-4-236, exemptions include:

• Emergency medical situations: If a child needs to be transported for urgent medical care and a child restraint system isn’t available.
• Taxis, public buses, and rideshares: Colorado law doesn’t require car seats in these vehicles.
• Medical exemptions: If proper documentation is available, a child with a certified medical condition that prevents car seat use may be exempt.

What to Do If a Defective Car Seat Causes an Injury

Car seats are essential for child safety, but not all are manufactured to the highest standards. A defective car seat can fail during an accident, leading to serious injuries or even fatalities. 

Parents who suspect a defective car seat should first check for recalls using the NHTSA recall search tool. Many recalls occur due to faulty harness systems, weak latches, or missing safety labels—all of which can compromise the seat’s effectiveness in a crash. If there is a recall, the manufacturer must provide a repair, replacement, or refund.

Additionally, if a faulty car seat contributed to an injury, you can hold the manufacturer accountable through a product liability claim. This allows you to recover compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Taking legal action against manufacturers requires proving the defect existed and that it led to the injury. To strengthen a case, parents should preserve the car seat as evidence, collect medical records, and document the accident’s details.

This can be complex, but with the right legal support, families can pursue justice. With over a decade of experience helping the injured in Colorado, Boesen Law can make all the difference in your case’s outcome.

How We Help – Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Colorado

If your child was injured due to a defective car seat or another driver’s negligence, we can help you secure rightful compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. 

With hundreds of millions recovered for clients across Colorado, we know how to build a strong case, negotiate effectively with insurers, or fight for your rights in court if necessary. Plus, you won’t pay anything unless we win your case!

We offer free consultations to assess your case and address your concerns—contact a Colorado car accident lawyer from our team today to explore your legal options.