Colorado Booster Seat Law Changes

Colorado recently updated the state's car seat and booster seat laws, and those changes go into effect on Aug. 1, 2010. The biggest change is an increase in the age for required booster seat use. Kids in Colorado must now ride in a booster seat until they turn 8. Previously, the law allowed kids to use a seat belt alone once they reached age 6.

Some of the wording of the law has also changed to allow parents more flexibility in choosing how they want their children to ride in the car. Babies under a year old and 20 lbs. are still required to ride in rear-facing car seat. However, the new law makes it more clear that kids can still ride in a rear-facing car seat until they're much older, up to age 4, if they still fit properly in their car seat. The law also allows for kids to stay in a forward-facing car seat at age 4 and beyond, instead of moving to a booster seat, if they still fit properly.

As in most states with this type of booster seat law, there are exceptions for children who are very tall or heavier than average. Children who reach 4'9" or weigh more than 80 lbs. before they turn 8 are considered to be heavier than most available booster seats, and can use the vehicle seat belt. Children under age 16 who are not otherwise required to be in a car seat or booster seat must still wear a seat belt.

• Colorado Dept. of Transportation
• Colorado Child Passenger Safety
• Colorado Car Seat Laws