Rear Facing Child Restraint Systems

The law requires infants to ride in a rear-facing child safety seat until they are at least one year old and weight at least 20 lbs.

Forward Facing Child Restraint Systems

The law requires that children ages one year to four years who weigh 20 pounds up to 40 pounds be restrained in a forward-facing child safety seat.

Booster Seats

The law requires that children who weigh over 40 lbs. or who are at least four years old but less than six years old be properly restrained in a child booster seat or with a child safety belt-positioning device, unless they are 55 inches tall

Safety Belts

The new law, effective August 1, 2003, requires that a child who is at least six years old or is at least 55 inches tall, must be properly restrained with the motor vehicle's safety belt.

It is recommended that proper seat belt fit is achieved when the child meets the 5-Step Test:

1) The child can sit all the way back against the auto seat.
2) The child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat.
3) The belt crosses the shoulder between the neck and arm.
4) The lap belt is as low as possible touching the thighs.
5) The child can stay seated like this for the whole trip.

The minimum fine is $58.80 and the driver can be fined for each unrestrained child in the vehicle.

Information courtesy Colorado State Patrol Child Safety Law.