Starting January 1, 2025, a new law in Colorado will require significant changes to how children are secured in cars, including mandates for booster seats and rear-facing car seats.

The updated law, which has been 14 years in the making, aims to bolster child passenger safety by incorporating the latest advancements in vehicle technology and car seat design. The changes are part of the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of young passengers, particularly in the event of an accident.

Key Changes to Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety Law

Under the new rules, children up to nine years old will be required to use booster seats when traveling in a vehicle. Additionally, if there is a backseat available, they must sit there. This marks a notable shift from the previous law, which allowed children to ride in the front seat as early as age six.

For children under two years old and weighing less than 40 pounds, a rear-facing car seat will be mandatory. Research has shown that rear-facing seats provide the highest level of safety for young children, offering better protection for the head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.

Ellis Thompson, community outreach specialist with the Grand Junction Fire Department, emphasized the importance of these changes. “As technology improves in vehicles and in car seats, the science changes and the recommendations change. So particularly for rear-facing [car seats], that’s the safest the kid is ever going to be.”

Keeping Kids Safe with the New Law

The new law also includes a critical provision that requires all children under 18 to wear a seatbelt at all times, ensuring that no one is exempt from basic safety measures.

Colorado’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) is launching an awareness campaign in January to educate the public about these new requirements. Thompson believes that the law will make a lasting impact on child safety across the state.

“Our children are our future, and it’s all of our responsibility to make sure that we can do everything in our power to keep them as safe as possible,” Thompson said. “Keeping them in that rear-facing car seat now up to two years is part of that.”

Why the Changes Matter

The update to Colorado’s child passenger safety law comes as part of a broader effort to ensure that the youngest passengers are given the highest level of protection in vehicles. With advancements in safety features and improved understanding of child safety, this law aims to reduce injuries and fatalities among young children in car accidents.

The backseat, especially when combined with booster and rear-facing seats, offers the safest travel environment for kids. Experts agree that these adjustments are vital in helping safeguard future generations, providing peace of mind for parents and caregivers across the state.