The Colorado Department of Transportation announced on April 3 that the first Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement period of the year will begin April 6 and run through April 12. During this time, the Colorado State Patrol and 26 local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols statewide, issuing citations to drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts.
The effort is part of a broader initiative to reduce roadway fatalities in Colorado. According to the official website, the Colorado Department of Transportation works to improve quality of life for residents through integrated transportation solutions while overseeing transportation infrastructure across the state according to its official website.
Last year, more than 1,100 drivers received seat belt citations during this same enforcement period. Over all three annual Click It or Ticket campaigns in 2025, more than 5,000 tickets were issued. Recent research by CDOT found that seat belt usage has reached a record high in Colorado at 90.7 percent—a rise from the previous rate but still below the national average reported by federal officials.
“Seat belts are the most effective life-saving tool we have in a vehicle,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “While over 90% of Coloradans already make the right choice to wear a seat belt, our goal is 100%. So far in 2026, 55% of the fatal crashes troopers have responded to have included a driver or passenger not wearing their seat belt. It’s up to all of us to insist everyone in the vehicle buckle up.”
Colorado’s primary seat belt law was updated last year so that it now applies directly to anyone under age eighteen; officers can pull over vehicles if they observe an unrestrained minor inside. More information about these updates can be found on state resources dedicated to child passenger safety.
“Even though we’re seeing positive trends in seat belt and restraint usage for Colorado motorists, there’s still work to do,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director for CDOT according to its official website. “The updates to the law have helped protect teenagers in cars, whether they’re driving or riding as passengers. While teenager fatalities without seat belts are falling, this age group still has the lowest use rate.”
In response to persistent risks among teenagers—who remain less likely than other groups nationally and locally to wear restraints—the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Sonic Drive-In this summer by offering free Sonic Slush coupons as rewards for buckled-up teen drivers and their passengers.
“Whether you’re a new driver or an experienced one, take the time to buckle up before hitting the road,” said Deputy Dennis Dempsey from Arapahoe Sheriff’s Office. “We’re hoping to reward students we see buckling up and ultimately get all young drivers to wear their seat belts. Buckling up is a two-second decision to protect your life.”
The department continues its work building and maintaining highways while supporting aviation and transit projects throughout Colorado as outlined on its official website. Its efforts focus on delivering safe multi-modal transportation systems that enhance quality of life across communities according to CDOT’s mission statement.
