DENVER (KDVR) — Lyft is joining Uber in asking that Gov. Jared Polis veto a bill passed with overwhelming support from legislators intended to make rideshares safer.
In a letter shared with FOX31, Lyft told Polis that allowing the bill to become law would "leave riders less safe and leave the future of Lyft's operations in Colorado uncertain." Uber previously said it would shut down service in Colorado if the bill became law, arguing that the bill is impossible to enforce.
Man impersonating rideshare driver charged with unlawful sexual contact of Colorado legislator"While the bill is well-intended, the final product sets operational requirements for the Lyft platform that ignore and ultimately will not improve conditions for riders and drivers," Lyft Chief Policy Officer Jerry Golden wrote to Polis's office. "The bill contradicts itself by both instituting requirements that could restrict TNCs from deactivating the accounts of drivers who may present a safety concern, while punishing TNCs with increased liability and litigation for failing to deactivate a driver’s account."
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jenny Willford, who sued Lyft earlier this year after she was reportedly sexually assaulted while using the rideshare. On Tuesday, officials announced they had arrested a man in connection to that incident and said he impersonated a rideshare driver.
Lyft also argued that the bill would make it easier for individuals with recent DUIs to drive on transportation network company platforms. The company also called a provision in the bill dictating avenues for private rights of action against individual drivers and riders "uncertain and poorly thought out."
"Additionally, many of these changes were included at the last minute without any time to consider the long-term implications they could have on riders and drivers," Lyft continued. "As a result, we believe it would be better to veto this bill and pursue more effective avenues for enhancing safety, rather than enacting a law that ultimately harms those it seeks to protect."
The company concluded its letter by saying it is committed to identifying "common-sense solutions to make rideshare even safer."
The governor has not yet signed the bill, and it appears that Polis may still have questions about the bill. The Colorado Governor's Office sent FOX31 a statement last week that said:
“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.”
Lawmakers send rideshare safety measure to governor’s desk on last day of sessionCommunications Workers of America Local 7777 stated that Uber's threat to withdraw from the state if the bill is signed into law is a pressure tactic used by many large corporations. CWA Local 7777 said that Uber has argued about privacy concerns, which the union called "an ironic stance," and noted that Uber said in an April 23 email to riders that the rideshare company said the conditions of the bill would make it impossible to operate in Colorado.
"Specifically it called the recording requirements an invasion of riders’ privacy. The recording requirements are optional and Uber already offers the driver the option to record a ride, making its newfound concern for privacy appear disingenuous at best," CWA Local 7777 said in a release.
The bill, if signed into law, would require a continuous audio recording of the driver for prearranged rides beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and after July 1, 2026, would require continuous audio and video recordings of the driver.
"This threat to exit the state follows a familiar pattern of pressure tactics employed by large corporations—whether it’s sports franchises leveraging taxpayer dollars for stadiums or, in this case, Uber attempting to sidestep regulatory oversight. In plain terms, this is an attempt at coercion, aimed at persuading Governor Polis to veto the bill," CWA Local 7777 continued.
CWA Local 7777 noted there are local options to avoid using Lyft or Uber, such as the Driver's Cooperative Colorado.
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