Have you heard about the Colorado car seat changes that are happening in 2025?
The new Colorado law regarding child passenger safety went into effect on January 1st, 2025. This law requires children to use a car seat or booster seat until they reach the age of nine.
Key Child Passenger Safety Law Changes Effective Jan. 1, 2025:
- Booster seats: Children must now use a car seat or booster seat until they are 9 years old (previously under 8 years old)
- Rear-facing car seats: Children under 2 years old and weighing under 40 pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat in the rear seat if available (previously under 1 year old and under 20 pounds). Children under 2 years old but weighing over 40 pounds may use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat
- Seat belt or car seat requirement ages: Children under 18 years old must now be properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint system (previously under 16 years old)
Car seats and booster seats are designed to protect children based on their size, rather than their age. It's important to carefully follow the manufacturer's recommendations that are included on the car seat label. Car seats significantly reduce the risk of fatalities for children in passenger cars. Studies show that car seats reduce fatalities by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
Unfortunately, many car seats are not used or installed correctly. A study conducted last year in Colorado found that 78% of car seats inspected by child passenger safety technicians were not being used correctly or installed improperly. To ensure your child's car seat is installed and used correctly, you can have it checked for free by a certified technician. You can find a car seat inspection location near you HERE!
Assistance for Families
If you are unable to afford a car seat for your child(ren), WeeCycle, Children’s Hospital Colorado and SafeKids Colorado Springs have programs through which families can get a free or low-cost car seat.
For complete information about changes, assistance and to get expert advice visit CarSeatsColorado.com or the Colorado Child Passenger Safety Law webpage.
