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AAA Colorado

Colorado's Child Passenger Safety Law

Children are always safest in the rear seat

How do I keep my infant safe?

The law requires infants to ride in a rear-facing child safety seat until they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20lbs. Safety Advocates recommend that infants continue riding in a rear-facing position as long as possible for the best protection in a crash. Many larger convertible type child safety seats will allow children to ride rear facing up to 30 or 35 lbs*.

How do I protect my one - four year old child?

The law requires that children ages one to four years who weigh up to 40 lbs be restrained in a forward-facing child safety seat. Safety Advocates recommend restraining your child in a harness restrain that meets all of your child's needs until they are at least 40 lbs. The use of top tether straps is strongly recommended.

My child is over four, but less than six years old, ... what seat is best?

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 ar 55" tall.

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.

If the answer is "no" to any of the above steps, please keep using the booster.

* Refer to your child safety set and vehicle owner's manual for more information.