Seat belts and child seats in Colorado (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The driver and every front-seat passenger must wear a seat belt; for adults this is a secondary enforcement law and fines start at $65. Since 1 January 2025 children must use a car seat or booster until age 9, with a booster seat from age 4 and 40 pounds, and a seat belt or restraint until age 18.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Rear-facing seat for children under 2 and under 40 lb; forward-facing seat for children under 2 and over 40 lb, or aged 2 to 4 and at least 20 lb; booster seat from 4 to 9 years and at least 40 lb; seat belt for ages 9 to 18 once it fits properly. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats must be used in the back seat if one is available. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Secondary enforcement for adult drivers and front-seat passengers: they can be ticketed only if stopped for another traffic violation. Primary enforcement applies to drivers under 18 and their passengers and to unrestrained children under 18. [1] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Fines for not buckling up start at $65; a parent or caregiver with an improperly restrained child faces a minimum fine of $82. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 4 to 9 who weigh at least 40 pounds must use a booster seat, in the back seat if one is available. From 9 to 18 a properly fitting seat belt is required. [2] |
Notes
- Taken from a Colorado Department of Transportation page; the statute text (C.R.S. 42-4-236 and 42-4-237) could not be read directly.
- The page describes a rear-seat belt duty only for persons under 18; it names no duty for adult rear-seat passengers.
- The official pages read does not state a rule on rear-facing child seats and an active front passenger airbag.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: First Click It or Ticket enforcement period of the year begins today (news release of 7 April 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Colorado Department of Transportation: Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety Laws (fact sheet, effective 1 January 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Colorado and neighbouring states
| State | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Yes (adults: secondary enforcement) | Under 18 only | Car seat/booster to age 9; belt or seat to 18 | Back seat if one is available | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Yes, age 14+ | Yes, age 14+ (adults: secondary enforcement) | Restraint to age 8 (80 lb / 4 ft 9 in); belt to 14 | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | Yes | Under 18 only | Under 8 in a child seat; 8 to 17 in a belt or seat | Under 8: not the front seat if another seat is free | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | Child restraint by age and weight to age 12; belt to 17 | Under 1: rear seat if the vehicle has one | No, unless no rear seat and no airbag switch |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Only children under 8 (restraint system) | Under 8, unless over 4 ft 9 in | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | Under 8, unless 57 in (1.45 m) tall | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Under 9 (belt allowed if it fits properly) | Back seat, unless one row or rear belts full | Not allowed |
More rules in Colorado
- CannabisGrowing at home: Up to 6 plants per person; 12 per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph business, 30 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (40 mph open mountain highways)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (minor licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed: banned over 3.5 in blade · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.16 per hour (2026)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.