Transportation

Nearly all PUC business, including purchasing of vehicle stamps and filing new permit applications/renewals, can be easily conducted online using the links provided above. However, the PUC is also happy to assist you over the phone or in-person, via an appointment. To speak with someone directly, please contact 303-894-2000, Option 2.

The PUC’s Consumer Affairs Unit handles complaints as they come into the PUC and some can be resolved at this step. Others are transferred to the PUC’s Transportation Investigations and Compliance team to conduct more thorough investigations.

The PUC’s Transportation Unit has seven investigators, and two other Staff working on towing-related investigations. In addition, the PUC's Consumer Affairs team assists with filed complaints and other towing-related questions.

Effective November 15, 2025, The fees for vehicle stamps will be increasing from $50 per vehicle to $51 per vehicle for Calendar Year 2026. As in past years, the PUC will begin selling vehicle stamps for the following calendar year on November 15th, as a courtesy to our transportation carriers.

Effective November 1, 2025, various permit fees and vehicle stamp fees are being adjusted. Please see the chart below:

Effective June 28, 2021, HB21-1206 modified § 40-10.1-301 and 302 C.R.S., removing the requirement for Medicaid transportation providers to obtain a Medicaid Client Transport (MCT) permit. The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is now responsible for the oversight of newly enrolling and revalidating Medicaid transportation providers. For additional information and guidance:

Non-Medical Transportation (NMT): https://hcpf.colorado.gov/nmt
Contact: HCPF_HCBS_Questions@state.co.us

Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT): https://hcpf.colorado.gov/non-emergent-medical-transportation
Contact: NEMT@state.co.us

The PUC's oversight of the booting/immobilization industry includes ensuring vehicle booting/immobilization companies are permitted and meet minimum insurance requirements, setting maximum rates for having a boot/immobilization device removed from a vehicle, and establishing other operational criteria, such as vehicle release standards, accepted forms of payment, and property signage requirements. 

Common Carriers are statutorily declared to be a public utility and must serve the public indiscriminately. Common carriers offer scheduled and/or call-and-demand services, such as: taxi, sightseeing, shuttle, and charter services.

Contract Carriers are limited to providing service pursuant to a contract that addresses unique customer requirements at a price not less than that of existing common carriers. These carriers are issued a permit which authorizes them to perform agreed upon services for their contracted customer(s). There is no obligation or ability to serve the general public. 

The PUC protects consumers by regulating moving companies, including insurance and advisement requirements. 

Large Market Taxi Service Carriers means indiscriminate passenger transportation for compensation in a taxicab on a call-and-demand basis, within and between points in the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld, and between those points and all points within the state of Colorado, with the first passenger in the taxicab having exclusive use of the taxicab unless the passenger agrees to multiple loadings.

The Public Utilities Commission is the primary regulator of the towing industry in Colorado. The PUC issues permits to towing carriers and ensures they meet minimum insurance requirements. The PUC also sets the maximum rates for many types of tows.

Limited Regulation Carriers include luxury limousines, charter buses, off-road scenic charter services, and children's activity buses.

A Transportation Network Company (for example, Lyft or Uber) uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers for the purpose of providing transportation.