ARTICLES LIBRARY | CAR LAWS AND CAR CARE

Buckle Up

Colorado law requires that a fastened safety belt must be worn in all motor vehicles on public roadways by the driver, every front-seat passenger and every child between the ages of four and sixteen and/or over forty pounds seated anywhere in the vehicle.

Child Passenger Restraint Law

In Colorado all children who are under the age of four and/or weigh less than forty pounds are required to be in an approved child safety seat when being transported in a private passenger vehicle or in a vehicle being operated by a child care center. A child less than a year old and less than twenty pounds requires a rear-facing, infant car seat. A child of at least four but less than six years old must be in a booster seat. Children between the ages of four and sixteen must wear a safety belt in front and rear seats. Unlike the adult safety belt law, the child restraint law is a primary violation. A vehicle may be stopped solely for such a violation if observed by an officer.

Pass Go

Use the passing lane only for that – passing. Driving along in the passing lane can get you a ticket. After passing, move to the right.

Colorado Car Insurance Requirements

Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Colorado. All drivers in Colorado must carry insurance that provides a minimum of $25,000 for injury liability for one person in an accident, $50,000 for all injuries in an accident and $15,000 for property damage in an accident. Colorado insurance is based on a “tort” system, which is a standard policy based on the premise that the “at-fault” party pays for all damages – personal and property. You are required to have proof of insurance with you at all times when driving. Failure to do so can result in a mandatory court appearance and possible fines.

Car Repair Act

No more sticker shock at the auto repair shop. The Colorado Motor Vehicle Repair Act requires repair garages to get written consent for any repair before work is performed. A repair garage must also give an oral or written estimate of costs associated with a particular repair before starting with the work. If a vehicle is towed to a site after hours and left for repair, repairs of no more than $100 may be made without written consent of the owner. The garage must notify the owner if used, reconditioned or rebuilt parts will be used in the repair.

Fix Those Pits

Windshields take a beating in Colorado. In this freeze/thaw climate, the melting snow leaves behind sand and gravel that can come flying at you on the roadways. Stop the pits from expanding and cracking across your windshield by having a glass or windshield repair shop fill the holes with resin.

Keep Your Car Clean

The Colorado Department of Transportation uses a solution of magnesium chloride on the highways to melt snow and ice during winter storms. While this solution melts snow, it can cause damage to a vehicle’s paint and undercoating. Wash accumulated dirt, salt and magnesium chloride off your car as often as possible. Wash your car in the car wash rather than in your driveway. All towns in Grand County have self-service car washes. Car washes are connected to water treatment systems that can handle the oil and other contaminants that rinse off of your car.

A Clear View

Replacing worn wiper blades is essential to visibility. Streaks or skipping on your vehicle’s windshield are telltale signs of worn wiper blades. Because the rubber blades are exposed to the elements and start to deteriorate as soon as they are installed, rubber wiper blades have a limited lifespan of just a few years.

Travel Planner

When driving to Grand County from the Denver area:
Take I-70 west to exit 232
Continue north on Hwy 40

Berthoud Pass:
53 miles northwest of Denver