The Colorado General Assembly has announced House Bill 25-1291, which seeks to expand consumer protections and impose new operational requirements on transportation network companies in the state. The bill is available on the General Assembly's website.
According to the Colorado General Assembly, HB25-1291 introduces new requirements for rideshare companies, including biometric driver verification, recurring fingerprint-based background checks, and mandatory in-vehicle audio/video recording. These measures aim to address concerns about passenger safety, impersonation, and accountability in ride-hailing services. The bill also provides enforcement mechanisms involving the attorney general and civil proceedings.
The Common Sense Institute reports that HB25-1291 could reduce the number of available rideshare drivers by more than 40%, with significant consequences for both rider availability and driver income. The report also notes that over 80% of surveyed drivers said they would stop driving if required to implement continuous audio and video recording.
According to the Common Sense Institute, Colorado rideshare drivers collectively earned over $750 million in 2023, with most relying on the flexibility of independent work. HB25-1291’s proposed limitations and regulatory changes may reduce this economic activity by up to $250 million annually if companies reduce operations or exit the market.