SECURE TRANSPORTATION BUSINESSES, PROVIDERS, AND VEHICLES

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 17, art. IV

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-81 Legislative intent.

Sec. 17-81. - Legislative intent. The purpose of this article is to provide standards to safeguard the public welfare by regulating and controlling the inspection, licensure, and operation of private secure transportation services for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises within the city as required under C.R.S. § 25-3.5-103. This article establishes a regulatory and service system to provide secure transportation services, with different requirements from traditional ambulance services, for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-82 Licensing required.

Sec. 17-82. - Licensing required. (a) License required. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not they are licensed in another jurisdiction, to act as a secure transportation provider without first obtaining a valid secure transportation provider license issued pursuant to this article IV and in compliance with any and all applicable state and local laws. (2) It shall be unlawful to operate as a secure transportation business without first obtaining a license as provided in this article and in compliance with any and all applicable state and local laws. (3) It shall be unlawful for any secure transportation business or provider to engage in any form of secure transportation services in a vehicle that does not have a valid local vehicle permit issued pursuant to this article IV and in compliance with any and all applicable state and local laws. (b) Exemptions. The requirements of this article do not apply to: (1) Law enforcement or personnel employed by or contracted with a law enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, Denver's Support Team Assisted Response program; (2) Ground ambulance agencies, licensed pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-301; (3) Transportation services provided by the city's office of behavioral health within the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment; and (4) Emergency service patrols established pursuant to C.R.S. § 27-81-115. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-83 Types of licenses and permits.

Sec. 17-83. - Types of licenses and permits. (a) Secure transportation business licenses. (1) Class A licenses are required for secure transportation businesses that provide services using physical restraint during transport. (2) Class B licenses are required for secure transportation businesses that provide services that do not include the use of physical restraint during transport. (b) Secure transportation vehicle permits. (1) Type 1 permits are required for vehicles with permanent safety partitions that separate the driver from the passenger compartment. (2) Type 2 permits are required for vehicles without safety partitions that separate the driver from the passenger compartment. (c) Secure transportation provider licenses. A secure transportation provider license is required for each secure transportation vehicle driver and each employee in the vehicle assisting the driver. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-84 Application requirements.

Sec. 17-84. - Application requirements. Application requirements. All private secure transportation business licenses, secure transportation provider licenses, and vehicle permit applications shall be made on forms provided by the manager of licensing and consumer protection and shall include, in addition to any information required by chapter 32 of this Code, all supplemental materials required by this article and any rules adopted pursuant thereto. The manager of licensing and consumer protection may, at the manager of licensing and consumer protection's discretion, require additional documentation associated with the application, as may be necessary, to enforce the requirements of this article IV and the requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311. (a) Secure transportation business license. Every application for a secure transportation business license shall contain the following: (1) The name under which the licensee will operate, the address of the principal place of business, and the name and address of each principal and managing agent; (2) A description of the specific types of services to be offered; (3) A statement whether each principal and managing agent, and employee has been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, traffic, or municipal ordinance violation, the nature of the offence, the penalty or punishment imposed, and the date and place such offense occurred; (4) A statement whether a judgment for fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation was ever entered against any principal, managing agent, and employee and the details thereof; (5) Proof of the following insurance coverage, issued by an insurance company authorized to write liability insurance in Colorado: (I) Liability insurance for injuries in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for each individual claim; (II) Liability insurance in the amount of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for all claims made against the secure transportation service or against its personnel; (III) Liability insurance coverage in the amount of the maximum recoverable amount under the Colorado Governmental immunity Act, C.R.S. § 24-10-101, et. seq., when the secure transportation service provider is a public entity or public employee pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-10-103(5); and (IV) Proof of worker's compensation coverage in compliance with the Worker's Compensation Act of Colorado, C.R.S. § 8-40-101, et. seq. (b) Secure transportation vehicle permit. Every application for a secure transportation vehicle permit shall contain the following: (1) Verification of a successful vehicle inspection, in the form required by the manager, that the secure transportation vehicle to be used by the applicant complies with the provisions of article IV and the requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311. The manager of licensing and consumer protection shall not accept verification of a successful inspection if the verification is completed more than ninety (90) days prior to the application date. (2) Proof of valid and current minimum vehicle insurance coverage as defined by C.R.S. §§ 10-4-609 and 42-7-103(2) with the City and County of Denver endorsed as an additional insured. (c) Secure transportation provider license. Every application for a secure transportation provider license shall contain the following: (1) A statement whether the applicant has been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor or municipal ordinance violation (including traffic violations), the nature of the offense, the penalty or punishment imposed, and the date and place where such offense occurred; (2) A statement whether a judgment for fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation was ever entered against the applicant and the details thereof; (3) A statement of the applicant's work and/or school history for the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of application; (4) A certificate of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or physician assistant licensed by the Colorado Medical Board, stating that the applicant was examined within sixty (60) days of the application date and found to be physically and mentally capable of performing secure transportation services in a manner that will not jeopardize the health, welfare, or safety of any person; and (5) A background check as described in section 17-11 of this Code completed no more than sixty (60) days before the application date. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-85 Licensing requirements.

Sec. 17-85. - Licensing requirements. (a) In addition to the provisions applicable to all licenses, all licensees shall maintain records of compliance with all vehicle, staffing, operating standards and procedures (clinical and medical), training procedures, written policy and procedures, medical protocol, and quality management program requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311. (b) Such records shall be provided upon any request from any inspector of the city or the manager of licensing and consumer protection within three (3) business days following the request. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-86 Inspections.

Sec. 17-86. - Inspections. (a) At least once annually, the manager shall require inspection and certification, in the manner determined by the manager, of secure transportation vehicles for: (1) Installation and proper operation and maintenance of safety equipment required by law or by regulations pursuant to this article. (2) Availability, adequacy, maintenance, and operability of such vehicles and of the related medical and safety equipment in accordance with standards set by the manager. Maintenance records shall be made immediately available upon request of the manager. (3) Compliance with C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311 and all rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (b) The results of such inspections, together with recommendations by the manager, shall be forwarded to the manager of licensing and consumer protection by the manager. (c) The manager is hereby authorized to require reinspection at any time. (d) The inspections pursuant to this section shall not excuse compliance with any other Colorado motor vehicle safety laws or requirements. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-87 Vehicle permit validation sticker and identification.

Sec. 17-87. - Vehicle permit validation sticker and identification. A secure transportation vehicle shall prominently display, in a place designated by the manager of licensing and consumer protection, a vehicle permit validation sticker issued by the city. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-88 Causes for denial.

Sec. 17-88. - Causes for denial. In addition to the grounds set forth in chapter 32 of this Code, no license shall be issued or renewed pursuant to this article IV where: (a) The issuance of a license or permit to the applicant would not comply with any federal, state, or local law, or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; (b) The proposed vehicle does not conform to the requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311; (c) The applicant fails to complete any required inspections; (d) The applicant fails to conform with the staffing requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311; (e) The applicant fails to conform with the clinical, medical, and operating standards and procedures established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311; (f) The applicant fails to conform with the quality management program requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311; (g) The applicant does not possess a current and valid driver's license; (h) The applicant's driver's license has been suspended or revoked during the preceding three (3) years; (i) The applicant has been convicted of or released from incarceration for any felony within five (5) years of the application date; (j) The applicant has been convicted of or released from incarceration for any misdemeanor or municipal ordinance offense involving fraud, theft, deceit, or misrepresentation within five (5) years of the application date; (k) The applicant has been convicted of or released from incarceration for any offense involving an act of violence against persons or property within five (5) years of the application date, including, but not limited to, assault, child abuse, and offenses where the underlying factual basis has been found to include any act of domestic violence; (l) The applicant has been previously denied a license under this article IV or has had a license issued under this article suspended or revoked within five (5) years of the application date; (m) The applicant's character and reputation show a pattern of conduct or personal history that does not demonstrate honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others or for the law; (n) The applicant does not have proof of the minimum required insurance coverages pursuant to this article IV; and (o) The applicant has failed to comply with the reporting requirement found in section 17-96 of this article. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-89 Reserved.

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-90 Transferability of license.

Sec. 17-90. - Transferability of license. A licensee or permit holder shall not sell, assign, or otherwise transfer a license or permit issued pursuant to this section to another person or vehicle. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-91 Unlawful acts.

Sec. 17-91. - Unlawful acts. In addition to any other acts prohibited by this chapter, it shall be unlawful: (a) For any person to be in possession of a weapon as defined in D.R.M.C. 38-116(23) while performing secure transportation services; (b) For any licensee to hinder or interfere with any investigation under the jurisdiction of the police department or other public law enforcement agency; (c) For any licensee to violate any rules, regulations, or standards promulgated by the board, manager of licensing and consumer protection, or manager; (d) To transport more than one (1) patient per vehicle except under the limited circumstances provided by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311; (e) For any person to equip vehicles used to perform secure transportation services in any manner resembling an emergency vehicle including, but not limited to, the use of lights or sirens, in violation of any state or local laws; (f) For any person, while performing secure transportation services, to wear a uniform or badge similar to that worn by any law enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, the police department, sheriff's department, or officers of the state patrol; (g) For any person to operate any secure transportation business license, provider license, or vehicle permit in violation of any state or local law, rule, or regulation; (h) To refuse to provide additional documentation as requested by the manager of licensing and consumer protection pursuant to the requirements in this article IV; (i) To administer chemical restraint during secure transportation services; (j) For any licensee to engage in any conduct constituting abuse as defined in this chapter 17; (k) For any licensee to engage in any conduct constituting exploitation as defined in this chapter 17; (l) For any licensee to fail to comply with the reporting requirements found in section 17-96 of this article IV; (m) For any person to operate as an independent secure transportation provider; and (n) For any person to knowingly fail to comply with any order of the board, manager of licensing and consumer protection, or manager. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-92 Term license, renewal.

Sec. 17-92. - Term license, renewal. (a) Secure transportation business licenses. Secure transportation business licenses shall expire three (3) years from issuance unless surrendered, revoked or the secure transportation business changes ownership. (b) Secure transportation provider licenses. Secure transportation provider licenses shall expire one (1) year from issuance unless surrendered or revoked. (c) Secure transportation vehicle permits. Secure transportation vehicle permits shall expire one (1) year from issuance unless surrendered, revoked or the vehicle changes ownership. (d) Renewal application materials and deadlines. Applications to renew a secure transportation business, secure transportation provider license, and vehicle permit shall be made in the manner provided by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (1) Applications for renewal of secure transportation business license shall include: (i) An affidavit attesting that each of its employees who provide secure transportation services are licensed pursuant to this article IV; (ii) Proof of insurance showing the minimum amounts required pursuant to this article IV; and (iii) Any additional information as required by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (2) Application for renewal of secure transportation provider license shall include: (i) A statement whether the applicant has been convicted of any federal, state, or municipal law violations, including traffic infractions, within the previous twelve (12) months; (ii) A CBI individual records check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation completed no more than sixty (60) days before the renewal application date; and (iv) Any additional information as required by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (3) Application for renewal of secure transportation vehicle permit shall include: (i) Verification of a successful vehicle inspection, in the form required by the manager, that the secure transportation vehicle to be used by the applicant complies with the provisions with this article IV and the requirements established by the State Board of Health pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-3.5-311. The verification of a successful inspection must be completed no more than ninety (90) days prior to the application date. (ii) Proof of insurance showing the minimum amounts required pursuant to this article IV; and (iii) Current and valid vehicle registration. (d) Denial of renewal. An application to renew a secure transportation business and provider license and vehicle permit may be denied if there are causes for denial, suspension, revocation, nonrenewal or other licensing sanctions as provided in chapter 32 of this Code, this article IV, or any rules and regulations promulgated thereto. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-93 Investigation, suspension, revocation, and other sanctions.

Sec. 17-93. - Investigation, suspension, revocation, and other sanctions. In addition to the grounds provided in chapter 32 of this Code, for investigation, revocation, suspension, or other sanction of a license, the manager of licensing and consumer protection may suspend or revoke any license under this article if the manager of licensing and consumer protection finds that there are grounds for denial as set forth in this article IV. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-94 Summary suspension.

Sec. 17-94. - Summary suspension. Where the manager of licensing and consumer protection has objective and reasonable grounds to believe and finds, upon a reasonable ascertainment of the underlying facts, that the licensee has been guilty of deliberate and willful violation or that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and incorporates the findings in its order, the manager of licensing and consumer protection may summarily suspend the license and/or vehicle permit for no longer than thirty (30) days pending proceeding for suspension or revocation which shall be promptly instituted as provided in chapter 32 of this Code. The licensee shall receive written notice of the temporary suspension and a hearing no later than ten (10) days after the temporary suspension begins. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-95 Rules and regulations.

Sec. 17-95. - Rules and regulations. (a) The board may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the protection of public health related to the operation of secure transportation services. (b) The manager may issue orders to any licensee to comply with this article IV and the rules and regulations of the board. (c) The manager of licensing and consumer protection may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of administering and enforcing the provision of this article IV and any other ordinances or laws relating to and affecting the licensing and operation of secure transportation services. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 2, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 17-96 Reporting requirements.

Sec. 17-96. - Reporting requirements. (a) When a secure transportation provider, manager, or administrator of a secure transportation business is convicted of any crime specified under the causes for denial in this article they shall notify the manager of licensing and consumer protection within seventy-two (72) hours of such conviction. (b) When a secure transportation provider, manager, or administrator of a secure transportation business uses force that results in bodily harm to another person, they shall immediately contact the local police department where such force was used and shall notify the manager of licensing and consumer protection within seventy-two (72) hours of such use of force. (c) When a secure transportation provider's employment is terminated, whether voluntary or involuntary, both the provider and the secure transportation business shall report the departure to the department within seventy-two (72) hours. The report shall be made in the manner determined by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (Ord. No. 552-23, § 3, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 9, 7-28-25)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH17MEVESETRSE_ARTIVSETRBUPRVEFetched: 10/27/2026