A newly proposed bill in Colorado, the Towing Carrier Regulation Bill (HB24-1051), aims to overhaul towing regulations by shifting the financial responsibility for towing and storage fees from car owners to property owners. This legislation, introduced by state Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, seeks to address predatory towing practices by implementing background checks for tow operators, granting the Public Utilities Commission authority to revoke licenses for certain violations, and ensuring parking lot owners on private property pay for towing and storage of vehicles for up to 30 days.
The bill emerges in response to concerns over the fairness of current towing practices, with Denver7 Investigates highlighting cases of predatory towing, including a notable settlement by Wyatts Towing with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office for $1 million due to improper tows. The proposal has drawn criticism, particularly from the Colorado Apartment Association (CAA), which argues that the bill could lead to negative unintended consequences such as decreased parking regulation enforcement, increased unauthorized parking, and potentially higher housing costs due to the financial burden on property owners. The CAA calls for a balanced approach that considers the interests of both property owners and drivers, fearing that the legislation could exacerbate parking-related issues and impact community living standards.
