Democrats Put Small Businesses In Jeopardy

A bill that would have lowered costs for small towing companies across Colorado failed to pass the Democrat controlled Senate Transportation Committee today. SB 49 sponsored by Senator Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, would have reduced the bond amount tow truck operators are required to carry from $50,000 to $10,000. “We’re supposed to be about jobs, jobs, jobs. What about the jobs that will be lost in rural Colorado?” asked Roberts. “This was essentially a battle between David and Goliath and the Democrats chose to side with the big companies instead of the small business owners.”

Towing carriers across the state are required to get a surety bond before the Public Utilities Commission issues them a permit. The current bond rate of $50,000 is cost prohibitive for many smaller towing companies, especially those who operate in rural communities.

In less than 24 hours of the bill being killed, two separate towing operators contacted Senator Roberts. One company said they will be forced to lay of three of their employees, the other said due to the high bond cost they have no choice but to close.

Companies in counties with fewer than 200 people per square mile would have been exempted from the bond altogether.

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