Uber has threatened to completely take its services out of Colorado if the proposed legislation hinged on increasing rider safety were to become law. The name of the legislation is HB25-1291, which would require Uber and other rideshare drivers to continuously audio and videotape all their trips and conduct criminal background checks on their drivers every six months.
The Colorado House passed the bill on April 16, with the massive bipartisan support of 59-6. The legislation is sent for full Senate consideration after earlier surviving narrowly, 4-3, through the Senate Committee on Business, Labor, and Technology.
Uber: ‘Deeply flawed legislation’
On Wednesday, Uber came out strong against the measure, arguing that it would force it out of Colorado altogether. Another spokesperson slammed the proposal as “deeply flawed” for “threatening user privacy by requiring audio and video recording of every trip, imposing massive technical and financial burdens, and giving nothing back in terms of safety.”
While the company would welcome productive safety reforms, Uber further stated that this bill “misses the mark” and “could be harmful.” The company worried about the possibility of being sued for liability for minor offenses—like a driver offering a snack or soft drink to a rider.
Burdens on ginances, Along with privacy risks
A point of contention is that the bill mandates rideshare companies to reimburse drivers for the costs incurred in installing and maintaining the video-audio recording systems. Uber argues that this would impose a huge financial burden on the company and would actually raise profound questions of privacy for both drivers and passengers.
The legislation further exposes itself to lawsuits for anything recorded and witnessed during trips—further alarm for a company bent over with legal troubles across the country. The company feels the requirements go too far without effective rider safety improvements.
A familiar tactic: threats of withdrawal
Uber threatening to pull itself out of Colorado is nothing new. The company issued similar threats regarding departures from other cities and states due to local regulations. In fact, both ridesharing companies threatened to exit Minneapolis after the city passed a minimum wage ordinance that would apply to drivers come 2024. However, they both had to eat their words after the Minnesota state legislature passed a compromise bill that increased driver pay but did not reach the levels that the city offered. It reminds one that often, although they appear as firm ultimatums, warnings by Uber are usually based on strategic ploys.
Pending senate vote
Colorado’s senate is probably going to take this bill up shortly. In the meantime, Uber spoke its piece. If the bill in its current form, HB25-1291, becomes law, the company says that it would be forced not to operate anywhere in the state.
Fox Business tried contacting both Uber and Colorado General Assembly members for further comments. For now, the future in terms of the ride-sharing systems in the Centennial State remains ambiguous for both Uber riders and drivers.
What happens next
Now, the ball is right in the court of Colorado lawmakers. Whether they decide to amend the bill or proceed as such, they will most likely influence how ride-sharing systems in the state will operate in the future, and possibly set the stage for other states that may be considering the introduction of the same safety regulations.
