HB 18-1320

HB 18-1320, also known as the Deregulation of Large-market Taxicab Service bill, changes how taxicabs are regulated in major cities across Colorado. Instead of being treated like common carriers (which have strict regulations), these taxis will now be considered motor carriers with fewer rules but still require a permit from the Public Utilities Commission to operate. The bill affects taxi companies operating in populous counties like Denver and requires them to have at least 25 vehicles, though smaller cities need only 10. It also allows the commission to set maximum rates for these services. Since it has been signed into law, this means that the changes will take effect as planned, impacting how large-scale taxi companies operate in Colorado starting January 1, 2019.

Official Summary

The bill reduces the regulation of taxicab service provided in large metropolitan areas by changing taxicab service provided in such areas from common carrier status to motor carrier status. Section 4 of the bill defines a large-market taxicab service as indiscriminate passenger transportation for compensation in a taxicab on a call-and-demand basis, within and between points in the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld, and between those points and all points within the state of Colorado, with the first passenger in the taxicab having exclusive use of the taxicab unless the passenger agrees to multiple loadings. Section 9 requires that, on or after January 1, 2019, a person obtain a permit from the public utilities commission to operate a large-market taxicab service. To obtain a permit, a motor carrier providing large-market taxicab service must have at least 25 vehicles in its fleet at all times; except that a motor carrier providing large-market taxicab service in El Paso, Larimer, or Weld county need only have 10 vehicles in its fleet at all times. The commission shall determine by rule the maximum rate that may be charged for large-market taxicab service in each county in which large-market taxicab service is authorized. Section 9 also requires permittees to file with the commission a rate schedule and does not limit the number or frequency of updated rate schedules that a permittee may file. Unless a rate schedule exceeds the maximum rate established by the commission by rule, the commission is not authorized to reject a rate schedule filed in the form and manner required by the commission. Sections 1 through 3, 5 through 8, and 10 make conforming amendments.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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