PUC reviews towing permit process, rates and key forms at industry training

Nate Riley, section chief for transportation at the Public Utilities Commission, led a one-hour training seminar for towing carriers on the PUC’s permitting process, online resources and recent statutory changes.

Riley said the session covered “how to properly get insurance filed, workers' compensation,” how to apply for or renew a towing permit online, and where to find current tow rates, monthly fuel surcharges and consumer-facing guidance on the PUC website.

The seminar’s nut graf: the PUC emphasized that most routine carrier business—including permit applications, insurance filings and the monthly fuel-surcharge updates—can be handled through puc.colorado.gov/towing or the division’s online permitting portal, and that carriers should keep current documents on file to avoid administrative suspension.

Most important details

Permit applications and processing: Riley urged carriers to apply online because it is “the fastest” option and puts applications into a processing queue. Applicants must provide company formation documents from the Secretary of State and designate a primary contact (the “designated agent”) so the commission has a central point for notices and enforcement communications.

Background checks and disqualifiers: Riley explained investigators run background checks on all principals named in permit applications. He identified two statutory disqualifiers: felony-level convictions within the previous five years and towing-related offenses added under recent legislative changes. He also described a broader “good cause” denial authority the PUC may use sparingly to refuse permits when an applicant’s background suggests a regulatory risk.

Fees and stamps: Riley said the annual application fee is currently $150 and noted that the statute allows the commission to adjust it. He reminded carriers that the annual motor vehicle stamp is $50 per vehicle and must be applied to each vehicle in service.

Insurance and workers’ compensation: The PUC requires vehicle liability (Form E) and cargo liability (Form H) for virtually all towing carriers; garage-keepers liability (Form 14) is required only if the carrier provides storage. Workers’ compensation coverage must be filed when a carrier has employees; carriers without employees must complete the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment opt-out paperwork so the PUC can verify exemption.

Forms and new release standard: Riley demonstrated several commonly used forms on the towing webpage, including the annual vehicle inspection report, the towing charge notification (drop-fee) form, the authorized-operator form and a “release without full payment” (reduced-fee) form that reflects statutory language for the new reduced-fee standard. He described the authorized-operator process: a claimant must present a valid driver’s license plus two of five items (vehicle keys, proof of insurance, vehicle registration, VIN confirmation or knowledge of the vehicle’s prior location) for a release under the rule.

Tow rates and fuel surcharges: The PUC posts current tow rates and historical rate sheets in a public Google Drive linked from puc.colorado.gov/towing. Riley demonstrated that the monthly fuel surcharge is updated at the start of each month and gave an example: for the cited month the surcharge was $0.80 per mile; with a base rate of $3.80 per mile that produces an allowed rate of $4.60 per mile for nonconsensual tows.

Towing Task Force and public records: Riley described the governor-appointed Towing Task Force (14 members) that recommends maximum nonconsensual tow rates to the PUC. Task Force agendas, minutes, recordings and the Task Force report filed with the PUC are available from the towing webpage. The commission also posts transportation rulemakings, the annual “6020” report summarizing program activity and recordings of hearings and commissioner meetings.

Case-by-case issues: When asked whether hotels or short-term rentals are treated as residential or commercial private-property impounds after last year’s legislation, Riley said the commission is still applying the new residential/commercial split on a case-by-case basis in mixed-use or borderline situations, and that determinations consider zoning and how the property is used.

Next steps and contacts: Riley said the PUC records its seminars and posts them on the towing page. He reminded attendees of a follow-up seminar scheduled for December 8 covering complaints, investigations and enforcement and provided phone and email contacts for transportation staff and investigations (contact info listed on the PUC website).

Ending

Riley closed by thanking attendees for participating and encouraging carriers to keep files current, use the online permitting portal, and contact the PUC transportation unit for questions or to schedule an in-person appointment if needed.