Car crashes continue to be a major cause of death and injury for children in Colorado. In 2024, nearly three-quarters of car seats in the state were either installed or used incorrectly. To address this issue, Car Seats Colorado, WeeCycle, and AAA organized free car seat check events throughout metro Denver during Child Passenger Safety Month.
A recent event at Central Park Recreation Center provided families with access to certified technicians who checked car seats for proper installation and ensured they met state requirements. This approach aimed to make safety checks more accessible by bringing experts directly to parents and caregivers.
“According to safety data, correctly using a car or booster seat can mean the difference between life and death for children in a crash,” said CDOT’s Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “No parent wants to get it wrong, but many simply don’t know what is required. We are committed to making sure caregivers have the knowledge and tools to protect their children every time they are traveling on the road.”
Earlier this year, Colorado updated its child passenger safety laws. The new regulations increased the mandatory age for using a car seat or booster from 8 to 9 years old and require children to remain in rear-facing car seats until age 2. Children must now be properly restrained in a seat belt until they turn 18; previously, the requirement was up to age 16.
“We owe it to our kids to do everything we can to protect them — and that starts with installing and using their car seats correctly,” said Trooper Kent Trimbach, program coordinator for Car Seats Colorado. “Car seats, boosters and seat belts save lives, but only when used the right way. Babies and toddlers are entirely dependent on adults for proper restraint, so it’s up to parents and caregivers to make sure they’re as safe as possible every time they’re in a car.”
The law also requires that children under 9 ride in the back seat secured by an appropriate child restraint system. Not following these rules is considered a primary violation; law enforcement officers can stop drivers if they see an unrestrained or improperly restrained child.
These legal changes align with current research on child passenger safety. Data from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that booster seats lower serious injury risk among older children by nearly half compared with seat belts alone (https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/child_passenger_safety/cps-factsheet.html). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child restraints reduce fatalities by over 70% for infants and more than half for toddlers (https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety).
Car Seats Colorado notes that choosing the right restraint should depend on a child’s size rather than just their age. Common mistakes include moving children out of booster seats too soon or using equipment not suited for their stage of development.
During the most recent Click It or Ticket campaign in 2025, authorities issued 368 citations related to improperly restrained children.
Parents looking for guidance can visit CarSeatsColorado.com for information about inspection stations, registration options, and instructions on correct installation techniques. For those unable to afford a car seat, organizations like WeeCycle, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and SafeKids Colorado Springs offer programs providing free or low-cost options.
