Lawmakers send rideshare safety measure to governor's desk on last day of session
DENVER (KDVR) — State lawmakers closed out the regular legislative session Wednesday evening, and before they left, they sent a bill to Governor Jared Polis that has a major company threatening to leave the state.
A bill looking to add extra safety parameters for ride-share companies underwent some big changes in the final hours of the session, but the bill's prime sponsor believes the bill will still protect Coloradans.
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A bill looking to add safety parameters for ride-share companies is on the governor's desk after undergoing some major changes. The bill originally sought to require rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to mandate the use of dash cameras and audio recordings during rides.
'We decided that there was so much in this bill that it was so important to get on the books that we were open to moving off of that required audio and video of every ride, shifted to an opt-in so that riders and drivers can decide what they are comfortable with. I believe this is a tremendous step forward,' said state Representative Jenny Willford.
With this bill, drivers will no longer be able to give passengers food or water. It will also require tougher background checks and a right of action for people who are injured during a ride. The governor still has questions about the bill that passed with overwhelming support.
His office told FOX31 in a statement:
'Governor Polis is committed to making Colorado safer for everyone, including making sure ride-sharing companies are keeping riders and drivers safe. He has shared concerns about privacy, conflicts with federal and existing state law, and the ability of the bill to be successfully implemented and the ability for TNCs [transportation network companies] to successfully comply. He will review the final version of the bill.'
Spokesperson for the Office of the Governor
The bill's prime sponsor, Jenny Willford, brought the measure after she said she was sexually assaulted during a ride. She had these emotional words for the governor on the floor.
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'To our governor, who says he wants Colorado to be one of the safest states in the nation, to you, sir, I say sexual assault evidence backlogs of 545 days and the excruciating pain that comes with waiting and no answers while the world moves on and you are stuck, you're frozen. That is why survivors don't report. Being so wedded to the opinion of a technology company that you use industry talking points against the very survivors who are begging you to see them,' Willford said just before members voted to repass the bill. 'Governor, I beg you, stand with survivors, not just in words but in law. Sign this bill, safety can't wait, and actions speak louder than words.'
FOX31 also heard back from Uber.
'We urge Governor Polis to veto HB25-1291, a bill developed behind closed doors and driven by the financial interests of billboard attorneys — not the needs of Coloradans. If enacted, this legislation would force Uber to shut down operations, stripping thousands of drivers of flexible earning opportunities and cutting off a trusted, reliable transportation option for hundreds of thousands of riders.'
Spokesperson for Uber
The company is urging the governor to veto the measure, holding firm to its original threat to leave the state over the bill.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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