Contract change for Denver e-scooters draws concerns about monopoly and transition supports

Contractors and scooter users urged the Denver City and County Council to consider transition protections before approving a single primary e-scooter vendor that would replace existing operators.

Rick Newlander, a longtime contractor who worked with Bird and Lime, cautioned the council against selecting one primary vendor, saying competition improves safety and service and that new vendors unfamiliar with Denver streets may not serve longtime users well. Newlander said the anticipated change could take effect on May 1 and asked the council to consider maintaining multiple operators or ensuring an orderly transition for current firms and contractors.

Longtime Lime user Bowen Deming asked for a transition period so drivers and riders are not left without service and so existing contractors can learn a new vendor’s systems. “We don’t want them to just go away,” Deming said, asking the council to find ways for legacy operators to work side-by-side with any new vendor during handover.

Separately, Clarence Evans spoke in favor of continuing the Lime Access program, saying access to scooters helped people at the Denver Rescue Mission gain mobility and employment. Evans described personal and peer gains from the program and asked the council to vote yes on continuing Lime Access supports.

Council members did not respond during the public-comment session, and no vote or formal action was recorded.