Anaya Robinson, Senior Policy Strategist of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado, expressed concerns that House Bill 25-1291 (HB25-1291) would undermine data privacy rights established under the Colorado Privacy Act. This statement was part of ACLU Colorado's testimony at the Supreme Court.
"We do have a lot of concern around individual riders and drivers, but riders more specifically," said Robinson. "This bill language would inevitably cause individual consumers across the state of Colorado less ability to consent to the collection of their data. This body passed with overwhelming support the Colorado privacy act indicating a strong belief that consumers should have the right to know when, what data, by whom and who it will be shared with. This bill does undo a portion of that and, and we have a lot of concern around that for multiple reasons."
Colorado House Bill 25-1291 proposes new safety and operational standards for rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, including limits on driver hours and expanded background checks. According to KKTV, the bill has faced criticism from civil liberties advocates who argue it risks overreach into driver privacy and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Uber has indicated it may withdraw services from Colorado if the bill passes in its current form. Critics have said that the bill’s surveillance and data-sharing provisions compromise basic privacy rights.
A recent initiative by the Denver Regional Council of Governments highlights ongoing concerns about data privacy for Coloradans using mobility services. Programs like RideAlliance are designed with privacy protections to ensure only necessary data is collected to verify eligibility and track service delivery. This reflects a regional emphasis on limiting data use and protecting rider confidentiality. Mobility service providers are increasingly expected to balance operational needs with privacy expectations.
"We support real, evidence-based safety policy: not legislation that checks a box but fails to deliver," a spokesperson for Uber said in a written statement. "As written, this bill not only misses the mark — it risks doing more harm than good."
In previous instances, Uber has threatened to leave markets where regulatory changes were deemed too detrimental to their business operations. In 2023, CBS News reported that Minnesota lawmakers passed a bill that would significantly increase operational costs for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). This led Uber to announce plans to end service across most of the state, with Lyft also warning of a potential shutdown if the bill became law. Governor Tim Walz ultimately vetoed the legislation due to concerns about reduced transportation access and negative impacts on drivers' earning opportunities.
Robinson is a Senior Policy Strategist at ACLU of Colorado, leading advocacy on issues such as data privacy, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. The ACLU of Colorado describes Robinson as a queer trans Latinx organizer with nearly a decade of experience in public policy and non-profit leadership. He co-founded the Transformative Freedom Fund, focusing on equitable access to health care for trans individuals. His work often centers on systemic equity and ethical use of personal data.