The Common Sense Institute has reported that ceasing income for Colorado Transportation Network Company (TNC) workers by 2030 could lead to a reduction in employment by 46,027 jobs and a decrease in GDP by $4.7 billion. This announcement was made in a recent report.
According to the Common Sense Institute’s April 2025 report, the introduction and widespread use of TNC services have coincided with a notable decline in DUI arrests in Colorado. In late 2014, monthly DUI arrests were just above 2,000; by late 2018, they had decreased to around 1,700 per month. As of April 2025, the number has further declined to approximately 1,200 per month, suggesting a potential correlation between the availability of rideshare options and reduced instances of impaired driving.
The report states that approximately 34,900 rideshare drivers were operating in Colorado as of April 2025. These drivers collectively earned an estimated $61 million in that month alone. Projecting these figures annually, rideshare drivers are expected to earn approximately $745 million in net income in 2025, up from an estimated $661 million in 2024.
The same report projects that if income for TNC workers is cut off by 2030, Colorado could see a reduction in employment by 46,027 jobs. Additionally, the state’s GDP could decrease by $4.7 billion, with a drop in business output by $7.7 billion and a decline in personal income of $3.8 billion. These projections underscore the significant economic impact that TNC services have on the state’s economy.
House Bill 25-1291 is currently under consideration in the Colorado legislature and proposes stringent regulations on TNCs. These include mandatory audio and video recording of all rides, biannual criminal background checks for drivers, and restrictions on driver-rider interactions. According to Uber, these requirements are impractical and infringe on user privacy; thus, the company announced it may cease operations in Colorado if the bill becomes law. Uber contends that the legislation imposes significant technical and financial burdens without delivering clear safety benefits—a stance reported by multiple news outlets including Axios and Denver7.
The Common Sense Institute is a nonpartisan research organization dedicated to providing data-driven insights on the economic impact of policies and industry trends. Founded in 2010, CSI employs rigorous research techniques and dynamic modeling to evaluate the potential impact of policies on the economy and individual opportunity.
