• The state of Colorado has specific laws in place regarding restraining and buckling up infants and children in the car. Failure to adhere to these rules could result in fines of at least $58.80 per child. This fine can apply to any child age 16 or younger. Children of certain ages, heights and weights have an increased chance of serious injury in the event of a crash. Colorado's implementation of laws specifically regarding children ensures that adults take the proper precautions when traveling with them in the car.
  
  

Children under 12 Months

• The state of Colorado requires you to place infants less than one year old and weighing under 20 pounds in a rear-facing car seat. Rear-facing car seats offer many advantages over forward-facing seats in the event of frontal crashes---a much more common occurrence raising the potential for severe injury than other crashes, according to CarSafety.org. The site notes rear-facing seats offer benefits such as reducing spinal cord injury and spreading the force of the crash over the child's whole body rather than just the head and neck. These seats also keep the head from snapping back and forth.
  
  

One to Four Years Old

• Children between one and four who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds can ride in a forward-facing seat. The Colorado Department of Transportation notes, however, that many rear-facing car seats can hold children up to 35 pounds and recommends rear-facing seats for as long as possible.
  
  

More than Four Years Old

• If your child is older than four but younger than six, or weighs more than 40 pounds, you must use a child booster seat or a child safety belt positioning device until she grows to 55 inches. Colorado law dictates that children past six or those who meet the aforementioned height requirements do not require any additional devices but must use the seat belt in the car.
  
  

Drivers Under 17

• Drivers under 17 must also wear seat belts at all times. Failure to follow this law can result in a fine.