Colorado Mandates 6-Month Driver Checks for Uber, Lyft as Polis Signs Ride-Hailing Safety Law
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Colorado Mandates 6-Month Driver Checks for Uber, Lyft as Polis Signs Ride-Hailing Safety Law
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Colorado on Tuesday enacted a ride-hailing safety law requiring Uber and Lyft to offer opt-in audio and video recording during trips and to report incident data to state officials each year.
The law also orders criminal background checks at least every six months, broadens disqualifying convictions regardless of age, and requires regular safety training plus anti-assault policies.
Lawmakers pushed the measure after scrutiny of ride-hailing safety, including findings cited in the law that Uber received a U.S. report of sexual assault or misconduct almost every eight minutes on average from 2017 to 2022.
Sponsor Jenny Willford argued the companies overstated rider safety, while the new requirements aim to give Colorado officials more visibility into incidents and force stronger preventive measures.
After 400,000 hidden assault reports, will new laws finally force ride-hailing companies to prioritize safety over profits?
Will mandated in-car recording make rides safer, or will it create a new battleground over data privacy and liability?
Colorado’s 2026 Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act: Responding to 15,500+ Assaults with Nation-Leading Reforms
Overview
The Colorado Rideshare Safety & Accountability Act, enacted on June 2, 2026, responds to a troubling pattern of safety incidents—including over 15,500 reported sexual assaults involving Uber and Lyft between 2017 and 2022—that have eroded public trust in rideshare services. High-profile cases, such as a Denver Lyft driver sentenced to 290 years for multiple assaults and other recent incidents, highlighted the urgent need for reform. The Act introduces stricter background checks, anti-imposter measures, and enhanced reporting requirements, aiming to restore confidence and ensure greater safety for both passengers and drivers across Colorado.