The letter targets an amendment in the federal Build America 250 Act. Its signers say the provision would, in their words, make it far harder and effectively impossible to hold multibillion-dollar rideshare corporations accountable in court when a passenger or a driver is sexually assaulted.
Beyond assault cases, the amendment would also grant legal immunity to rideshare apps for car crashes and injuries, leaving only individual drivers on the hook. Colorado state Sen. Katie Wallace co-led the effort behind the letter.
I hope that members of the Colorado delegation and other members from across the country can work with the speaker before the bill comes to the House floor in order to remove this amendment. I don't think it should be debated on. I frankly don't think that it is worthy of the floor of the United States House of Representatives.Katie Wallace, Colorado state Sen.
Colorado's New Law vs. the Federal Provision
| CO House Bill 142 | Build America 250 Act | |
|---|---|---|
| Background checks | Required every 6 months | Not addressed |
| Ride recording | Drivers/riders can opt in | Not addressed |
| Company accountability | Annual safety reports required | Legal immunity for apps |
| Who is liable | Companies held accountable | Only individual drivers |
Denver7 closely tracked House Bill 142 through the legislature this session. The law requires criminal background checks for Colorado's 35,000 rideshare drivers at least every six months. It also lets drivers and riders opt into audio and video recording of their rides and seeks annual safety and discrimination reports from the companies.
State Rep. Jenny Willford sponsored the bill after surviving a rideshare sexual assault herself.
I'm one of the thousands of people who have been sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver.Jenny Willford, State Rep.
How Well Do You Know Colorado's Rideshare Rules?
Four questions. One minute.
How often must Colorado rideshare drivers get criminal background checks under HB 142?
- Every 6 months — Correct. HB 142 requires checks at least every six months for the state's drivers.
- Once a year — Not quite. The law requires checks at least every six months.
- Only when hired — No. HB 142 mandates ongoing checks at least every six months.
How many rideshare drivers operate in Colorado?
- About 35,000 — Correct. The new law covers roughly 35,000 rideshare drivers statewide.
- About 5,000 — Higher than that. The figure is around 35,000 drivers.
- About 100,000 — Not quite. There are about 35,000 rideshare drivers in Colorado.
How many lawsuits has Uber faced accusing drivers of sexual misconduct, per Reuters?
- Over 3,500 — Correct. Reuters reported Uber has faced over 3,500 such lawsuits. Lyft has faced 54.
- About 54 — That's the figure for Lyft. Uber has faced over 3,500 lawsuits per Reuters.
- About 500 — Higher. Uber has faced over 3,500 lawsuits, according to Reuters.
What would the federal Build America 250 Act amendment do?
- Shield rideshare apps from liability — Correct. Lawmakers say it would give apps legal immunity and hold only individual drivers responsible.
- Ban rideshare in Colorado — No. The amendment is about shifting liability away from companies.
- Require more background checks — The opposite. Lawmakers say it would weaken accountability, not strengthen it.
That gap between Colorado's rules and the federal provision is exactly why Wallace, Willford, and hundreds of other lawmakers are fighting now. Colorado just built one of the country's strictest accountability frameworks, and the signers argue the federal amendment could undercut it for every rider in Denver.
Willford, who sponsored HB 142, says the burden shouldn't fall on survivors to keep pushing companies to act.
I shouldn't have to tell my story over and over again. Other survivors shouldn't have to tell their stories over and over again to simply force a company to do the right thing.Jenny Willford, State Rep.
About This Story
The lawsuit totals against Uber (over 3,500) and Lyft (54) accusing drivers of sexual misconduct were reported by Reuters. Colorado's rideshare safety rules come from House Bill 142, which Denver7 tracked through the legislature this session.
The federal measure at issue is an amendment in the Build America 250 Act, now before the U.S. House of Representatives. State Sen. Katie Wallace co-led the letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, signed by more than 275 women state lawmakers.
Where the Fight Stands
- The Federal Bill: The Build America 250 Act amendment heads to the U.S. House floor. Lawmakers want it removed before debate.
- Colorado's Protection: House Bill 142 requires 6-month background checks, opt-in ride recording, and annual safety reports from companies.
- The Coalition: More than 275 women state lawmakers, co-led by Colorado state Sen. Katie Wallace, signed the letter to Speaker Mike Johnson.
Sources & References
- Primary source: local-news — Jessica Porter
- Reuters — Lawsuits accusing Uber and Lyft drivers of sexual misconduct
- Denver7 — Coverage of Colorado House Bill 142 through the legislature