February 2, 2026
Mayor Johnston and Members of the Denver City Council,
We write on behalf of the organizations listed below to express serious concern about proposed changes to Denver’s shared scooter and bike license agreements and the risk those changes pose to the affordability program that tens of thousands of low-income residents rely on every day. We urge the City not to proceed with any licensing changes unless continuity of access, affordability, and enrollment for current riders is clearly guaranteed.
Through its current license with Lime, Denver operates one of the largest and most effective micromobility affordability programs in the world. Nearly 30,000 residents are enrolled in Lime Access, which provides three free 30-minute rides per day, followed by a 50 percent discount on additional rides, for riders who qualify for need-based assistance. For many participants, this program is not a convenience but a lifeline.
A recent study by the Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) found that low-income residents, particularly unhoused community members, often lack access to a personal vehicle and depend heavily on shared scooters and bikes, alongside transit, to reach essential destinations. These trips support access to health care, housing services, employment opportunities, and other critical appointments.
Losing reliable transportation can have drastic implications for community members who are struggling with day-to-day survival. Many transitional housing sites enforce strict curfews; arriving late can mean losing a bed for the night. Missing a medical appointment, a housing intake, or a job interview can derail stability entirely. When transit service is infrequent, ends early, or proves unreliable, shared scooters and bikes fill crucial gaps in the transportation system.
Usage data reinforces this reality. In 2025, Union Station was among the top three destinations for Lime Access riders, with more than 8,000 trips ending at Denver’s primary transit hub. The remaining top destinations were overwhelmingly social service and housing-related locations. On average, nearly 100 Lime Access trips per day ended at emergency shelters, senior housing facilities, and essential service centers across the city. Last year, an average of over 5,000 unique riders used the Lime Access program to move between critical destinations in Denver every week.
Proposed changes to the City’s scooter and bike share licenses risk disrupting this essential service and leaving many residents without viable transportation. It remains unclear how current Lime Access riders would be transferred to a new operator without placing additional burdens on people already navigating significant challenges. This is not a simple data transfer. Any transition raises complex issues related to privacy, consent, eligibility verification, and re-enrollment, creating friction that will almost certainly result in riders losing access.
The success of Denver’s current affordability program did not happen overnight. Enrolling low-income and unhoused residents is labor-intensive and relationship-driven. Over five years, Lime enrolled approximately 200 to 400 riders per week, working closely with trusted, community-based organizations, several of which are signatories to this letter. These partnerships required sustained effort, in-person engagement, and meeting people where they are.
We are deeply concerned that the City may discard a proven, successful affordability program without a clear and credible plan to ensure continuity of service. Transitions matter. When they are poorly designed, low-income riders bear the greatest cost.
As you consider changes to Denver’s micromobility license agreements, we urge you to prioritize the needs of residents with the fewest transportation options. This requires more than selecting operators. It requires explicit contract terms, thoughtful transition planning, and sufficient City resources to preserve affordability, access, and enrollment, regardless of which operator is selected.
Lime and its partners here in Denver have built a model that works. We ask that you protect it.
Sincerely,
Jill Locantore, Executive Director, Denver Streets Partnership
Rudolph “Rudy” Gonzales, President & CEO, Servicios de La Raza
Deb Butte, Senior Director of Homelessness Resolution, Denver Rescue Mission
Montana Gau, President, Strong Denver
James Flattum, Co-founder, Greater Denver Transit
Rob Toftness, Co-founder, Denver Bicycle Lobby
Alejandra X. Castañeda, Co-organizer, Pedestrian Dignity
Jeslin Shahrezaei, Executive Director, Prodigy Ventures
Robert Greer, Lead, YIMBY Denver
Ms. Ann White, Executive Director, Montbello 2020 & Beyond