[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6289678,"mediaKeyId","2532188-30df934ee82eae08ad6bfc58e7f53907","parentId",2532188,"title","PUC towing task force reviews out-of-state approaches, CPI adjustment and rising equipment costs in rate discussions","audioSeconds",1703,"startMs",315000,"endMs",2018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532188-30df934ee82eae08ad6bfc58e7f53907&start=315&end=2018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532188-30df934ee82eae08ad6bfc58e7f53907/thumbnail_315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289678/Colorado/PUC-towing-task-force-reviews-out-of-state-approaches-CPI-adjustment-and-rising-equipment-costs-in-rate-discussions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289678-ae3b038911988c55b5a5326130fa5caf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182210&Signature=LgyZ9krW~OV46RHiyJE-lh3AGCJVWzMluMPBnIa60QSGxcwjJsjvXAY6Hwn6R~L5cu2IhVRjr79WJukFG5TBcQsjwT7cwk3SX5Q8ZgK5lO4GcDX6buFAdNm0Zxt7vTv8~ovQW2jf1rQh8vAv2RaNzOFT-IOlOt~MdrJBVW2FaMOniapA72hMWtoBCJ~oqNEZhRodw3phZ6RohSbt-3zWLQg~j7fQQJBbomIROJq9iDB7jhw5MrTSqDuook44ggGu7ucKTj8-JFD~~NiVPleA1JPFYFQgRf2s4pWcjwAliks4-ooCdST86jLmKsAYC2-4vT3q5CrnQaDdxlPJQoqW3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-11T01:34:33Z","article","Members of the Public Utilities Commission\u0000(PUC) Towing Task Force on Sept. 13 reviewed research into towing regulation in other states and debated whether Colorado\u0000\u0000should continue using the state CPI figure for annual inflation adjustments to maximum towing rates or adopt a different metric.

Task force staff described use of a May 2021 US PIRG (United States Public Interest Research Group) snapshot to identify states with towing regulations comparable to Colorado\u0000initially pointing to Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. Staff said outreach produced substantive responses from roughly eight states and that contacts and documents (including a Texas report) have been placed in a shared folder for task force review.

Members debated the limits of a straight CPI adjustment. Several towing-industry representatives said CPI understates rapid increases in capital costs for towing providers: one industry speaker said the price of a new light-duty tow truck rose by about $40,000 from one May to the next, and that heavy wreckers that once cost roughly $480,000 to $500,000 now commonly approach $800,000 to $900,000. Multiple speakers also said insurance premiums had shown sustained double-digit increases in recent years. Industry members argued those shifts are not well reflected in general CPI indices, which traditionally capture consumer prices and wages more than specialized capital-equipment costs.

Public members and task force staff also raised the challenge of geography: Colorado's front range, mountain resort communities and rural plains present very different cost structures for towing firms (mileage, property rents for storage, staffing), which complicates a single statewide maximum-rate schedule. Dr. Michael Pierce and other members suggested exploring geographic adjustments or models that tie specific rate components (for example, mileage or hook fees) to local cost indicators.

Members discussed differences between consensual tows (customer-called tows) and nonconsensual tows (private-property or law-enforcement-ordered tows). Several members and staff noted nonconsensual tows typically require 24/7 availability, guaranteed storage and garage-keeper insurance (meeting what staff referred to as the PUC\u0000form 14 requirement), which increases carrier fixed costs compared with many consensual operations that may operate with a single truck and minimal fixed storage obligations.

Task force staff also summarized recent PUC rulemaking activity and statutory changes. Staff said the PUC had implemented a process to allow annual inflation adjustments tied to a published CPI figure (the figure referenced by staff as the state CPI published on the department website). Staff added that some statutory changes from last year affected fee allowances (for example, the meeting discussed a statutory change that now bars a charge for certain residential drop fees in private-property impounds). Task force members reported early industry feedback that optional partial-payment release provisions (a $60 partial payment mentioned in the meeting) have not resulted in carriers later collecting the remainder of the bill in practice.

Members agreed to continue work on two related tasks before the next meeting: (1) examine whether the PUC should continue its current annual inflation-adjustment mechanism and, if so, whether an alternative inflation metric would better capture towers' cost structure; and (2) assemble or update a cost model to inform recommended baseline maximum rates, including consideration of geography and the consensual/nonconsensual distinction. The group scheduled follow-up research, including outreach to states recommended by members (Utah, Arizona, Oregon and Washington were suggested as regionally comparable jurisdictions), and added a Texas consulting report from 2020 to the shared folder.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Towing Task Force Meeting September 13, 2023","oneSentenceSummary","Task force members examined towing regulation in other states, debated whether the PUC\u0000CPI-based annual inflation adjustment captures towing costs (notably equipment and insurance), and discussed geographic and consensual vs. nonconsensual differences that complicate statewide rates.","taxTitle","Public Utilities Commission, Governor's Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",28165,"location","Colorado","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6289682,"PUC towing task force fills chair post after two recent resignations; minutes approved",1222,106000,1328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532188-30df934ee82eae08ad6bfc58e7f53907&start=106&end=1328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532188-30df934ee82eae08ad6bfc58e7f53907/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6289682/Colorado/PUC-towing-task-force-fills-chair-post-after-two-recent-resignations-minutes-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289682-42abdeea1089b6ac7deac3d34aa5e323/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182210&Signature=BQGqI8yQBFcaoh7D9vRtrZfOv6RLv~AjSwi6ml7Kag72w~9jgKyyo32joQyjH79XECNSSQogtzy43LwLVwgjAPBAxYLQUaAsFRSJAdH39-fVncHaTKJQUVzQiyBR7jeggxUeqgfsPiq~IcAwGRag68vvo-akSU6yWvI6ZTZFmy1QbBmgpSWuoxKWyAm2vbHB24spjD6VQZnpbRHIat1hgZQVok8qPAGSe5AtCpyC5juQlWoppC9bq6Ss4mJOFzIs8cnHvLCne3Rqcz~LPcYT5Kc22qp0QpiYdsAADTy3-Dn5FHvp4KPXZeV715etYoc2~oCn8tLelxovt0Y8UHn2dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Utilities Commission\u0000(PUC) Towing Task Force on Sept. 13 elected Nate Riley as chair and approved minutes from its July 12 and Aug. 9 meetings, after members discussed two recent resignations that left the group short of a full complement.

The task force, convened by the PUC to study towing practices and related regulations, voted to make Riley chair following a nomination by John Connolly and a second by Dr. Michael Pierce. A roll-call vote recorded nine yes votes and no no votes; the task force then confirmed posting the approved minutes to its website.

The action followed two membership departures discussed at the start of the meeting. The task force staff reported receipt of a resignation from a member identified in the meeting as \"Mr. Hill,\" who had represented an association of motor carriers that rely on towing services. Staff said the resignation arrived by letter two days earlier. Separately, members noted that Trevor Forbes had resigned weeks earlier, creating a need to replace a prior chair and to ensure continued leadership on the panel.

Members discussed outreach to industry associations to fill the motor-carrier-affiliated slot. Captain Hahn offered to contact the motor-carrier industry; staff said previous recruitment had relied on a recommendation from the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA) and that CMCA previously recommended Mr. Hill.

Task force staff explained the chair role is primarily administrative: setting agendas, coordinating with PUC staff and facilitating meetings. Riley said he already performs many behind-the-scenes tasks and would accept the title while continuing to rely on PUC staff support; several members said they were comfortable with the appointment. The meeting record shows no statutory barrier identified that would prevent a PUC-appointed staffer who serves on the task force from being chair, though one member noted it is generally preferable to have a governor-appointed panel member serve as chair to avoid appearance issues.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (July 12 and Aug. 9): Approved. Motion and second recorded in the meeting but not specified in the transcript; outcome: approved and minutes to be posted on the task force website.
- Election of chair (Nate Riley): Mover: John Connolly; Second: Dr. Michael Pierce; Roll-call recorded nine yes votes, outcome: approved (Riley will serve as chair until further notice).

The task force chair and staff said they will begin backfilling open positions and will circulate meeting materials and calendar invites for the next meeting scheduled for Oct. 11, 2023.

Members and staff emphasized the importance of attendance and noted a statutory mechanism exists to designate an alternate to attend in a member's stead when necessary. The meeting concluded after members agreed to continue work on substantive regulatory topics at the next meeting.

","The Public Utilities Commission\u0000(PUC) Towing Task Force elected Nate Riley as chair and approved minutes from July 12 and Aug. 9 after the group confirmed resignations that leave two member slots to backfill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PUC towing task force reviews out-of-state approaches, CPI adjustment and rising equipment costs in rate discussions

PUC towing task force fills chair post after two recent resignations; minutes approved