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Uber, the nation’s largest rideshare company, warned it may leave Colorado if a proposed new law regulating rideshare safety passes, Colorado Politics reported Wednesday. House Bill 1291 would require companies like Uber and Lyft to conduct background checks on drivers every six months, promptly investigate complaints, and deactivate drivers if credible allegations arise. It would also mandate recording audio and video during every ride.
Uber’s Vice President of Operations issued a letter to state lawmakers opposing the bill. Although the company acknowledged sharing the bill’s goal of improving safety, it claimed that several provisions were “unworkable.” Specifically, Uber criticized the requirement to record all rides, arguing it would create technical and privacy challenges. The company also objected to a provision allowing lawsuits for minor or technical violations, warning it could flood courts and increase rider costs.
Uber emphasized that it has already implemented many safety measures, such as in-app emergency assistance, driver education programs about sexual misconduct, and partnerships with organizations like RAINN. Uber cited data showing that 99.9998% of rides end without serious safety incidents and that its sexual assault rates have dropped by 44% since the company began publishing safety data.
Emails were also sent to Uber riders and drivers statewide, urging them to oppose the bill and warning that passage could result in Uber pulling out of Colorado entirely.
Lyft also expressed concerns about the bill, stating it could hurt drivers and riders without meaningfully improving safety. However, Lyft indicated a willingness to work toward a compromise.
The legislation comes amid growing scrutiny of rideshare companies following reports of thousands of sexual assaults nationwide. In 2024, Rep. Jenny Willford, one of the bill’s sponsors, filed a lawsuit against Lyft after she was allegedly assaulted by a driver using a fake account. Willford cited data showing that more than 15,000 Uber and Lyft riders were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022.
“We have worked with Uber in good faith for months and accepted many of their amendment requests, including a full rewrite of the bill,” Willford said. “For years, Uber has checked the box on safety, but time after time failed to deliver for victims.”
House Bill 1291 has already passed the Colorado House and cleared a Senate committee. With the session ending May 7, the final outcome—and Uber’s future in Colorado—could be decided within days.
Meanwhile, Uber remains embroiled in a massive consolidated lawsuit in California federal court involving more than 1,900 survivors from 29 states who allege they were sexually assaulted by Uber drivers. A first bellwether trial is expected to take place in December 2025.
If You Were Harmed by an Uber Driver, Learn Your Rights
The growing wave of lawsuits against Uber shows that survivors are standing up — and winning justice. If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted while using Uber, you may still have legal options.
Learn more about your rights and the ongoing Uber sexual assault litigation by visiting our comprehensive guide.
