Gov. Jared Polis on Friday vetoed a bill that sought to ramp up driver safety regulations on rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, demonstrating in doing so that he clearly was moved by Uber’s threats to leave Colorado if House Bill 1291 became law.
The veto, issued just before 3 p.m. heading into Memorial Day weekend, acknowledged the intent of sponsors to protect riders, and it ordered leaders of two state agencies to immediately begin working with bill sponsors to find other ways to do so. But the Democratic governor said the specifics of HB 1291 were problematic in many ways, including being in conflict with two recently enacted state laws on consumer privacy and driver protection and violating federal law on arbitration.
“While I appreciate the sponsors’ intent to ensure the safety of riders and drivers, House Bill 25-1291 would impose unworkable regulations on the transportation network companies (TNCs) and potentially jeopardize their operation in Colorado,” Polis wrote. “I want to make sure that Uber, Lyft and others will continue to operate in Colorado but are far more accountable for the safety of riders and drivers. These services go beyond convenience by providing essential means of travel for many Coloradans and improve public safety primarily by reducing driving under the influence.”
What HB 1291 sought to demand from Uber, Lyft
Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, introduced HB 1291 after she said she was sexually assaulted in 2023 by a man who had swapped places with her expected Lyft driver. As introduced, the bill sought to crack down on driver impersonation, require rides be videotaped and audiotaped from start to finish and allow riders to sue both drivers and the rideshare companies if crimes were to happen to them.
Senate sponsors, facing criticism that the proposal was unworkable, made major changes, including making the recording of rides optional, narrowing potential causes for lawsuits and giving companies more time to comply with law-enforcement requests for information. But Uber warned several provisions in the bill, including the new private right of action and a clause mandating swift deactivation of crime-accused drivers — a clause flying in the face of a 2024 bill boosting drivers’ rights — were so onerous that it would exit the state.
In the two-and-a-half weeks since the end of the legislative session, both opponents and proponents ramped up campaigns to influence the governor.
Lyft and Uber asked for a veto, with Lyft arguing that the bill’s last-minute changes contradicted its aims, adding provisions like one that would make it easier for individuals with recent drunk-driving convictions to drive on TNC platforms.
Sexual-assault survivors, meanwhile, detailed their stories and explained how predators now can exploit the companies’ platforms, arguing that HB 1291 would curb such behavior and needed to be signed into law.
Polis’ qualms
Gov. Jared Polis speaks at a regional talent summit on March 18 in Arvada.
Polis, however, said HB 1291 had too many troubling provisions. Those he cited in his veto letter included:
- Concern that last-minute language meant to require drivers and riders to opt in to video or audio recording of rides still strongly suggested that recording was mandatory, which put the law in conflict with a two-year-old law guaranteeing digital privacy to Coloradans;
- Challenging requirements surrounding the mandatory retention of recorded data by rideshare companies without ensuring proper safety protocols;
- Belief that a ban on rideshare companies requiring arbitration in cases of sexual assault is preempted by federal arbitration law and would delay relief for victims who try to take the companies to court;
- Concern that mandatory deactivation clauses limit the due process for drivers that was created in 2024 and leave rideshare companies “in the position of judge and jury”; and,
- The potential for reduced public safety on roadways due to the aforementioned clause that would have decreased the time between a drunk-driving conviction and when a driver can work for a rideshare again.
Polis also said he was deeply concerned about the potential loss of rideshare companies from the state and cited conversations with groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving and AAA that had the same fears. Rather than just nixing the bill, however, Polis ordered leaders in his administration to begin work on implementing parts of the bill that can be enacted without legal problems.
Governor orders agency actions
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies must meet quickly with bill sponsors to identify shared policy objectives that can be achieved through immediate executive action and through targeted legislative policy in the 2026 session. Then, he wrote, DORA must work with the Public Utilities Commission to strengthen rules and penalties for cases of driver impersonation.
Meanwhile, the PUC, the body that regulates TNCs, should consider performing enhanced audits to ensure TNCs are complying with background check requirements and previous commitments to exceed baseline statutory requirements. And the PUC should conduct increased outreach to consumers to let them know how to file complaints.
“HB 25-1291 should not represent the end of this conversation on rideshare safety,” Polis wrote. “It is my sincere hope and intention that HB 25-1291 and the executive actions outlined in this letter will represent a momentum-building moment for our collective efforts to hold TNC companies accountable in addressing the gaps in TNC rider and driver safety.”
Uber issued a statement thanking Polis and reiterating that it will continue to boost its safety measures even without the mandate.
Uber, sponsors react differently to veto
“We remain committed to this work, and to dialogue with bill sponsors on sensible policies that keep people safe while protecting privacy and access,” the company said.
Sponsors, however, called the veto “deeply disappointing” and accused Polis of citing red herrings and industry talking points in his veto letter, saying that each of his stated concerns was addressed in amendments.
The governor did not get involved in discussions until the last few days of the session because he “chose to side with convenience and profits of billion-dollar corporations instead of the survivors who shared their horrific experiences,” Willford said. Her statement was issued jointly with her Democratic cosponsors, Rep. Meg Froelich of Greenwood Village and Sens. Faith Winter of Broomfield and Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge.
“We reject the false premise that safety and access to rideshare services are mutually exclusive,” the sponsors added. “This was a David and Goliath battle — and while David didn’t win today, this fight is far from over. We will be back. And we will keep fighting until every rider and driver is safe.”