Colorado Rideshare Safety and Accountability Act Introduced

DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish new safety requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), including Uber and Lyft, was introduced today.  The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Meg Froelich, would require more frequent background checks and crack down on imposter accounts. 

“I’m far from the only person who’s been sexually assaulted in a rideshare, and that’s why I am running this bill. Rideshare companies have failed to take safety seriously, and Colorado riders and drivers are paying the price,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act would establish necessary safety standards for rideshare companies, including background checks every six months, stronger driver vetting and eliminating imposter accounts. TNCs need more accountability, which is why this bill requires them to provide an annual report of all crimes that happen on their watch. This legislation is necessary to ensure TNCs prioritize rider and driver safety.” 

“Too often, the decision to call a ride on an app requires Coloradans to balance competing safety concerns, and our bill will impose new requirements on rideshare companies to address these very serious issues,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Only about 30-percent of sexual assaults are actually reported, and far fewer cases see the inside of a courtroom. The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act requires TNCs to step up and create policies that stop sexual assault by prohibiting account sharing and transporting an unaccompanied minor. Far too many sexual assaults are happening in rideshares, and we need to do more to protect Coloradans. That’s why we are moving forward with this critical bill.” 

The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act (HB26-1424) would establish new safety requirements and policies designed to keep riders and drivers safe. The bill would apply to large-scale rideshare companies with more than 1,500 drivers and does not apply to HopSkipDrive. 

More frequent background checks

• TNCs must procure privately administered background checks on drivers every six months after the initial criminal history record check.

Crackdown on imposter, shared and rented accounts 

• To help prevent multiple drivers from operating under one account, this bill would require TNCs to develop and enforce a company policy that would flag drivers’ accounts for review. Accounts would be flagged if the driver’s bank account does not match the driver’s name on the platform or when there is a change in a driver’s bank account linked to the platform, name, address, email address or vehicle registration. 

Stronger driver vetting and clear disqualifications

• Drivers with a history of convictions for assault, harassment, kidnapping, menacing, stalking, domestic violence or account sharing would be barred from driving with a rideshare company.

• If a driver is barred by one rideshare company for serious safety concerns, they would be barred from driving for all TNCs operating in Colorado. 

Audio and video recording

• Riders and drivers would have the option of opting in to audio and video recording from pick-up to drop-off. Audio and video recording software must be integrated into the TNC platform. No third-party recording devices allowed. 

Robust complaint procedures and survivor updates

• If a rider submits a complaint to a TNC about their driver, the TNC must provide up-to-date information to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to investigate complaints. Additionally, the TNC must respond to a complaint-related subpoena or search warrant within 72 hours. 

• Survivors may also opt in to receive updates about their complaint.

• If a complaint is filed against a driver, the TNC must procure a new background check before the driver can drive again.  

Improved transparency and accountability 

• If a driver is convicted or enters a plea, they must notify the TNC within 72 hours of the conviction. 

• TNCs must provide annual reports to the PUC, the Attorney General’s Office and every member of the general assembly. These reports must include the number of homicides, assaults, verbal threats, and accidents, as well as any instances of stalking, harassment, theft and discrimination. 

• The PUC may penalize a TNC that violates any provision of HB26-1424 up to $1,500 per violation.

Additionally, TNCs would need to establish certain policies that:

• Prevent sex assault, physical assault and homicide.

• Prohibit the transportation of unaccompanied minors, unless they are part of an authorized family account.

• Require food and beverages offered during a ride to be factory-sealed.

• Educate drivers on new safety policies.

• Prevent crimes against drivers by riders.

• Do not allow the collection of any rider or driver biometric data. 

More than 15,500 Uber and Lyft riders and drivers were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022. This number only represents the number of sexual assaults that were reported. On average, only 30 percent of sexual assaults are reported. 

Countless instances of sexual assault have happened in Ubers and Lyfts in Colorado, including a former Denver Lyft driver sentenced to 290 years in prison last year for charges related to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault of more than a dozen women over four years. 

In 2024, an Aurora Lyft driver was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Last week, an Arvada Uber driver was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a passenger. Arvada police believe there are likely more victims in this case, as the driver used multiple vehicles over his more than 1,000 rides.