DENVER — Starting Monday, July 21, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and 34 law enforcement agencies are kicking off the “Buckle Up, Someone Needs You” campaign, a major push to increase seat belt usage across the state. The crackdown runs through August 1.
This marks Colorado’s third seat belt enforcement effort of the year, aligning with the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign. The initiative comes as Colorado’s seat belt use remains 3% below the national average, and July is one of the busiest travel months on state highways.
Law enforcement will step up patrols, issuing citations not only to unbuckled drivers but also to those with unrestrained passengers or improperly secured children.
In support of the effort, CDOT is spreading awareness about updates to Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety Law, effective January 1, 2025, through HB24-1055. Key updates include:
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Children must use a child restraint system until age nine (up from eight)
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Adjusted age and weight requirements for rear-facing car seats
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Multilingual fact sheets available online
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Detailed info via [email protected]
So far in 2025, 82 unbuckled drivers and passengers have died in crashes — nearly half of all roadway fatalities this year.
CDOT also highlights that pickup truck and commercial vehicle drivers are least likely to wear seat belts. Yet wearing one in a pickup can reduce your risk of dying in a crash by 60%.
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