Gov. Jared Polis vetoed legislation Friday that would’ve instituted a slew of new security and reporting requirements on ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft.

Though the governor also directed state regulators to take steps to improve rider safety, the bill’s sponsors blasted his rejection of the legislation as a decision to side with tech companies.

In a letter describing his veto of House Bill 1291, the governor acknowledged the need for tighter regulations on ride-share companies. But he was swayed to reject the bill in part because of Uber’s threat to leave the state if the bill were signed into law. He wrote that while he believed ride-share companies could “do more to protect riders and drivers,” HB-1291 “goes beyond a narrowly tailored public safety focus” to include “concerning provisions,” such as allowing for trips to be recorded upon request and prohibiting arbitration clauses in rider agreements.

“Together, these changes would jeopardize these services in Colorado to an untenable degree, and could very well lead to companies that Coloradans rely on exiting the market, raising prices, or reducing the number of drivers,” Polis wrote.

HB-1291 passed the legislature earlier this month, on the final day of the 2025 session. It was sponsored by Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat who was sexually assaulted in the back of a Lyft last year, and it was supported by lawmakers of both parties.

In a blistering statement Friday afternoon, Willford and the bill’s other Democratic sponsors accused Polis of using “industry talking points” in his veto letter, and they said more negotiations could’ve taken place had the governor’s office brought concerns forward sooner than the final days of session.

“The Governor says he cares about survivors — but actions speak louder than words,” Willford, Rep. Meg Froelich and Sens. Jessie Danielson and Faith Winter wrote.

“When he had the opportunity to act, he chose to side with convenience and profits of billion-dollar corporations instead of the survivors who shared their horrific experiences over and over again.”

One day after the bill passed, Polis refused to say whether he would sign or veto it.

Still, his rejection was expected, prompting a letter urging his signature from more than two dozen lawmakers and other supporters.

Another supportive letter was sent from 10 women who were sexually assaulted by the same ride-share driver between 2018 and 2022.

“We are not seeking revenge, nor are we trying to dismantle a multi-billion-dollar industry,” the women wrote. “What we want is simple: to ensure that what happened to us doesn’t happen to someone else.”

The legislation — which would’ve required Uber and Lyft to adopt a number of policy changes to improve passenger safety — was opposed by the ride-share companies, who argued the bill’s requirements were unworkable.

In addition to threatening to leave, Uber sought to enlist both drivers and riders to lobby lawmakers to vote against the measure.