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House approves new rules for vehicle‑immobilization companies after debate over notice and consumer protections
Summary
The Colorado House passed House Bill 11‑17 on March 25, setting regulations and consumer protections for private vehicle‑immobilization companies operating in residential parking areas.
DENVER — The Colorado House on March 25 approved House Bill 11‑17, a measure establishing new rules for private vehicle‑immobilization companies that operate in residential parking lots, after floor amendments and extended debate about notice, fees and the effects on low‑income residents.
The bill and floor amendments set or clarified multiple consumer protections: minimum photographic evidence to document a violation, signage and notice standards for immobilization, a flat minimum payment for release, and an explicit prohibition on immobilizing a resident’s vehicle that is inoperable and otherwise lawfully parked in the resident’s designated space or driveway. The House adopted an amendment reducing the number of required photos to a minimum of two (one showing the parking violation and one showing the device affixed to the vehicle); another amendment exempted federally leased commercial parking (for example, some ski‑area leases) from the 24‑hour notice rule.
Floor debate focused on balancing consumer protection and property‑owner access to parking. Representative Richardson argued the bill should prohibit partial payments to avoid leaving people with collection obligations; that proposal was rejected. Sponsors said the measure aligns residential booting rules with existing towing statute safeguards and is intended to curb predatory practices that can disproportionately harm low‑income residents, who may lose wages or housing when immobilized.
Stakeholders and lawmakers also raised operational concerns for particular contexts: ski areas said timely removal is necessary for plowing, while some members warned that requiring property managers to be physically present to authorize immobilization would be impractical. The House adopted multiple targeted amendments reflecting those operational concerns.
House Bill 11‑17 passed on final passage as amended; the transcript does not record a final roll‑call tally for passage in the House.
