State regulators are seeking public input on revisions to towing rules, the result of legislation last year meant to protect Coloradans when companies tow their vehicles without their consent.
The Public Services Commission, which the legislators in charge of drafting the new rules, will hold a virtual public hearing on May 30 via Zoom.
The PUC regulates Colorado’s approximately 730 towing companies and deals with rates, scope of operations, insurance, safety, compliance and complaints. The force employs six staff who investigate about 400 towing complaints each year on average.
The new law will likely mean that searches will increase by about 15% as a result of the new regulations and towing requirements, according to a tax analysis.
Among other things, the law gives the PUC additional authority to promulgate non-consent towing regulations, deny permit applications or permit renewals by towing carriers who have committed towing-related crimes or acted in violation of the public interest, and adjust permit fees.
The legislation also establishes new responsibilities for vehicle towing companies and storage facilities, including the following:
A business must prominently display the maximum allowable rates that can be charged for towing services at its place of business and on its website.
Provide adequate lighting and signage in storage facilities
Maintain the safety and security of towed vehicles
Provide proof of insurance upon request
Charge for storage only when provided and do not charge for storage beyond the first 24 hours before notifying interested parties
Provide owners or lien holders with an itemized invoice upon request
Take a photo to document the condition of the vehicle and the reason for the tow before you tow it
Retain information about unauthorized towing for three years and provide it upon request
At the request of the vehicle owner, recover the contents of a towed vehicle without payment, or allow the owner to recover the vehicle after paying 15% of the fees due, which cannot exceed $60, and signing a form saying owed to the towing company.
Release a vehicle that has been connected but not yet towed from the property if requested by an authorized or interested person
Unless ordered to do so by a police officer, do not tow vehicles due to expired vehicle registration
Pay lien holders, car owners and other interested parties the sum of the proceeds from the sale of a vehicle, if the proceeds are greater than the charges owed to the towing company.
Luige, an award-winning journalist, is editor of Colorado Politics and The Denver Gazette. He previously covered politics in Arizona and wrote on national security in the Philippines, where he began his journalism career.
