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In response to mounting concerns over rideshare sexual assaults, Colorado lawmakers advanced a survivor-inspired safety bill aimed at tightening rideshare oversight.
The legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jenny Willford, proposed more frequent driver background checks, stricter enforcement against unauthorized account sharing, and faster response timelines for rideshare companies handling assault reports and law enforcement requests. Willford has said the bill was shaped in part by her own experience of alleged sexual assault by a Lyft driver in 2024.
The measure passed the Colorado Legislature with bipartisan supermajority support. Survivors and advocates publicly urged Governor Jared Polis to sign it into law.
Uber opposed the bill, warning it would suspend operations in Colorado if the measure took effect. The company argued the requirements were technologically and financially burdensome, maintaining that its existing safety systems were sufficient. Polis ultimately vetoed the proposal, citing concerns about preserving rideshare service availability in the state. Lyft did not issue a similar withdrawal threat, though it supported the veto request.
Months later, Uber announced new partnerships with Denver-area domestic violence organizations, including SafeHouse Denver and PorchLight Family Justice Center, Westword’s Hannah Metzger reported. Through Uber’s national Hope Rides initiative, developed with Alliance for HOPE International, the company provides ride credits intended to help clients access shelters, court dates, medical care, and other essential services.
Recent Uber advertisements promoting the collaborations emphasize survivor support and transportation access. Leaders at both nonprofits said the ride credits arrive amid reductions in federal funding.
“The microgrant we received from Uber has helped us provide vital transportation support,” said Jill Petersen, board chair at SafeHouse Denver. “Transportation is often a form of control for abusers.”
SafeHouse Denver reported receiving $7,500 in Uber rides. PorchLight Family Justice Center said it received $10,000 in ride credits. Representatives from both organizations noted that rides are booked by advocates and monitored through Uber’s app-based safety tools.
Uber’s outreach coincides with ongoing litigation over rideshare safety. In a recent federal case, a jury found Uber liable in a sexual assault lawsuit and awarded damages to the plaintiff. The verdict is among thousands of cases alleging inadequate safety practices across the rideshare industry.
Advocates for survivors say partnerships that expand transportation options can provide meaningful short-term benefits, while also stressing that broader structural reforms including prevention, reporting transparency, and regulatory safeguards remain central to long-term safety improvements.
Survivors of Uber-Related Sexual Assault Have Legal Options
Explore the Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit Guide
