Passenger Carrier Frequently Asked Questions

Common Carriers are statutorily declared to be public utilities and must serve the public indiscriminately. The rates charged by Common Carriers are regulated by the PUC.

Common Carriers may provide scheduled service or call-and-demand taxi, shuttle, charter, or sightseeing service in a specific geographic area.

Contract Carriers are statutorily declared to be public utilities and are limited to providing service to a particular customer, pursuant to a contract. The rates charged by Contract Carriers are regulated by the PUC.

Limited Regulation Carriers are not public utilities, but are declared to be affected with a public interest. The rates charged by Limited Regulation Carriers are not regulated by the PUC. The following are types of Limited Regulation Carrier permits: Charter Bus (CSB), Children’s Activity Bus (CAB), Fire Crew Transport, Luxury Limousine (LL), and Off-Road Scenic Charter (ORC). These permits authorize services throughout the entire State.

A LMT permit holder provides indiscriminate passenger transportation for compensation in a taxicab on a call-and-demand basis within points in the following Counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and/or Jefferson (25 vehicle minimum), as well as El Paso, Larimer, and/or Weld (10 vehicle minimum). Taxi carriers operating in all other Counties are required to obtain a Common Carrier authority.

What is the application process for a Common or Contract Carrier?
The application form for Common Carrier authority is available here: https://puc.colorado.gov/common-carriers . The application form for Contract Carrier authority is available here: https://puc.colorado.gov/contract-carriers. The completed applications are submitted to the PUC through the E-Filings system here: https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.homepage. There is a $35.00 application fee.

All applications for permanent Common and Contract Carrier authority are noticed to the interested public for a period of 30 days. Existing Common Carriers do have a right to object to an application and may file an intervention. If an intervention to an application is filed, the Commission may refer the application to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for a hearing on the merits. After the 30-day public notice expires, the application will be placed on the Commission’s weekly agenda for a vote, and then a written decision will be issued.

If my application for Common or Contract Carrier authority is granted, do I automatically receive my certificate/permit?
No. Most Commission decisions granting an authority will require certain compliance items to be filed prior to the certificate/permit being issued. These compliance items will include proof of insurance, vehicle inspections, submission of an advice letter and tariff, and an issuance fee.

Do I have to re-apply for a Common Carrier certificate or a Contract Carrier permit every year?
No. A Common Carrier certificate and a Contract Carrier permit remain active unless revoked, suspended, cancelled, or abandoned.

What is a Limited Regulation Carrier?
Limited Regulation Carriers are not public utilities, but are declared to be affected with a public interest. The rates charged by Limited Regulation Carriers are not regulated by the PUC. The following are types of Limited Regulation Carrier permits: Charter Bus (CSB), Children’s Activity Bus (CAB), Fire Crew Transport, Luxury Limousine (LL), and Off-Road Scenic Charter (ORC). These permits authorize services throughout the entire State.

What is the application process for a Limited Regulation Carrier?
The online application form for a Limited Regulation Carrier permit is available here: https://doraapps.state.co.us/puc/TransportationApplications/. Applications must include accurate information regarding the company (including Secretary of State documentation), current vehicle inspections, proof of effective insurance, and the vehicle stamp fee. Once the Commission receives a complete application, the permit may be issued. These applications are not noticed to the public, and existing carriers cannot object to the issuance of the permit.

Do I have to apply for a Limited Regulation Carrier permit every year?
Yes. Limited Regulation Carrier permits expire after one year. The online application form to renew a permit is available here: https://doraapps.state.co.us/puc/TransportationApplications/.

Which vehicles qualify as a Luxury Limousine?
Commission Rule 6305 lists the types of vehicles that qualify for use under a Luxury Limousine permit. The PUC Rules for Transportation may be found here: https://puc.colorado.gov/transportation-rules.

If I want to drive for Uber Black, which permit do I apply for?
You will apply for a Luxury Limousine permit.

Can I act like a Taxi with a Luxury Limousine (LL) permit?
No. With a LL-permit, you may only provide charter service to a single chartering party (a person or group of affiliated persons) for a specific amount of time on a prearranged basis.

Does a Children’s Activity Bus (CAB) permit require the use of a “bus”?
No. Any vehicle may be used for the CAB permit.

What size of vehicle may be used for the Charter Bus (CSB) permit?
A motor vehicle with a minimum seating capacity of thirty‐three, including the driver.

What type of transportation services may be provided with an Off-Road Scenic Charter (ORC) permit?
An ORC permit authorizes the transportation of passengers, on a charter basis, to scenic points within Colorado, originating and terminating at the same location and using a route that is wholly or partly off of paved roads. Off‐road scenic charter does not include the transport of passengers to commercial locations, nor the selling of individual tickets or “per person” rates. Any vehicle may be used for the ORC permit.

What is a Large Market Taxicab (LMT) Service carrier?
A LMT permit holder provides indiscriminate passenger transportation for compensation in a taxicab on a call-and-demand basis within points in the following Counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and/or Jefferson (25 vehicle minimum), as well as El Paso, Larimer, and/or Weld (10 vehicle minimum). Taxi carriers operating in all other Counties are required to obtain a Common Carrier authority.

What is the application process for a LMT permit?
The online application form for a LMT permit is available here: https://doraapps.state.co.us/puc/TransportationApplications/. Applications must include the application fee, accurate information regarding the company (including Secretary of State documentation), current vehicle inspections, proof of effective insurance, and the vehicle stamp fee. Once the Commission receives a complete application, the permit may be issued. These applications are not noticed to the public, and existing carriers cannot object to the issuance of the permit.

Do I have to apply for a LMT permit every year?
Yes. LMT permits expire after one year. The online application form to renew a permit is available here: https://doraapps.state.co.us/puc/TransportationApplications/.

What is a Designated Agent?
The Designated Agent for a motor carrier is the person or entity associated with the company who should receive the important (and sometimes legal) notices from the PUC.

What are the insurance requirements for passenger carriers?
 

Do you accept proof of insurance by paper?
No. All insurance filings must be submitted by your insurance company through the PUC’s web-based filing system here: www.dora.state.co.us/pls/real/PUC_INS_Web.Logon.

How do I add a new vehicle to my fleet?
If you have an active PUC permit, you may purchase a vehicle stamp online here: http://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/real/USS_Web.Logon?p_service=STAMPS.

Is there a maximum age limit for vehicles used to transport passengers?
No. As of March 2, 2022, there is no longer a maximum age of motor vehicle requirement for passenger-carrying motor vehicles, according to PUC Decision No. R21-0771 in Proceeding No. 21R-0359TR. Please refer to PUC Rules 6117 and 6305 for more information. The PUC Rules for Transportation may be found here: https://puc.colorado.gov/transportation-rules.

Does the PUC regulate Medicaid transportation services?
No. House Bill 21-1206 modified § 40-10.1-301 and 302, C.R.S., and eliminated the requirement for Medicaid transportation providers to obtain a Medicaid Client Transport (MCT) permit from the PUC. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is now responsible for all Medicaid transportation.

Once I receive my PUC certificate or permit, what happens next?
The PUC licensed company must comply with all operational and safety rules, which may be found in the PUC’s Rules Regulating Transportation by Motor Vehicle, 4 CCR 723-6 (https://puc.colorado.gov/transportation-rules).

Am I subject to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check?
Drivers for the following types of motor carriers are required to be fingerprinted: Taxicab, Luxury Limousine, Off-Road Scenic Charter, Charter Bus, and Children’s Activity Bus. Drivers who do not operate under these types of permits are not subject to the fingerprint requirements. A FAQ document regarding the fingerprint process is available here: https://puc.colorado.gov/limitedreg.

What types of passenger transportation are not regulated by the PUC?
Please see Colorado Revised Statutes § 40-10.1-105. For instance, the following types of transportation are not subject to PUC regulation: ambulance or emergency vehicle transportation; trips paid by Medicaid; a private individual transporting a neighbor or friend on a trip; transportation of disabled individuals in wheelchair accessible vans; transportation performed by the government.

Who do I contact if I still have questions?
Please call 303-894-2000, and select option #2, to reach Transportation Administrative Staff.
Disclaimer: Pursuant to PUC Rule 1007, Commission staff may provide informal assistance to the general public and to prospective applicants for Commission authorizations. Opinions expressed by Commission staff do not represent the official views of the Commission, but are designed to aid the public and to facilitate the accomplishment of the Commission's functions. Nothing communicated by PUC staff constitutes legal advice.