A school funding bill and a post-secondary and workforce program bill were among the numerous bills signed by Governor Jared Polis prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
However, he also vetoed a few bills, such as House Bill 25-1291, which added regulations to companies that are considered to be part of the transportation network, including rideshare companies.
In a letter regarding the veto, Polis stated, “This legislation goes beyond a narrowly tailored public safety focus and includes a number of concerning provisions.”
Polis cited concerns about what he sees as ambiguous language in the regulations, urging the inclusion of audio/video recording options, prohibiting arbitration, and asserting that the bill would result in price reductions and increases that would put riders in financial hardship and possibly increase the number of drunk drivers on the road.
Negotiations with the ridesharing companies were part of the bill’s development. Uber, however, cautioned that it might have to leave the state.
State Congresswoman Meg Froelich (D-Englewood), a bill sponsor, stated, “And at the end of the day, the threat to leave the state was more important than what we feel is safety.”
Froelich cited the House’s 59-6 vote for HB 25-1291, which demonstrated a strong bipartisan support for the bill. Polis, she claimed, was giving tech companies the veto power.
“Survivors came out in force,” Froelich stated. “And drivers came out to say they didn’t feel safe, and big tech came out with money and lobbyists, and it’s discouraging that they won the day.”
Erika Rinnert was one of the supporters of the bill. She was abducted by rideshare driver John Pastor Mendoza, who was found guilty in March of sexually assaulting and kidnapping twelve victims and receiving a 290-year prison sentence.
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Rinnert, who was taken from a house in Aurora after being drugged, claimed she had to struggle to get away from Pastor Mendoza after being picked up in downtown Denver.
The veto of the bill stunned Rinnert. According to Rinnert, she and a few bill sponsors were already discussing modifications to help the bill pass when they intend to revisit it during the upcoming legislative session.
“Disappointment doesn’t totally cover it,” Rinnert stated. “I feel like I’ve been re-victimized in a lot of ways.”
“None of these regulations would stop Uber or Lyft from operating,” Rinnert responded to Polis’ criticisms of the bill, stating that she believes that any opportunity to stop bad actors should be taken advantage of. “If you can stop a few of them why should you not?” she replied.
