Governor Jared Polis signed legislation mandating enhanced safety measures for ride-hailing platforms, including mandatory background checks every six months and expanded criminal disqualification criteria. The law requires Uber and Lyft to offer audio and video recording options during rides and provide annual incident data to state officials.

The legislation stems from a New York Times investigation revealing Uber received sexual assault or misconduct reports nearly every eight minutes between 2017 and 2022, far exceeding public disclosures. State Representative Jenny Willford, who introduced the bill, cited internal company research showing effective deterrent tools existed but were deprioritized for business expansion.

Both companies collaborated with lawmakers on the bill's development. Uber spokesman Matt Kallman acknowledged disagreements with certain provisions while noting the legislation now takes a more balanced approach. Lyft spokesman CJ Macklin expressed gratitude for the collaboration and commitment to working with regulators.

Willford's personal connection to the issue runs deep—she was sexually assaulted by an impersonator during a Lyft ride in February 2024, later filing a lawsuit. The driver remains at large. Colorado joins California and Virginia in tightening ride-hailing regulations, signaling a shift toward greater accountability across the industry.