10 OCTOBER 16-22, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | share company, says it wishes state offi cials would support their business as much as they are supporting Waymo’s expansion into the capital city. “As Colorado leaders embrace Waymo driverless cars with open arms, we wish they would also be sensitive to all the local rideshare jobs that Waymo’s robot taxis will replace,” the cooperative says in a statement. “Every driverless car on the road doesn’t just replace a vehicle — it replaces the livelihood of a local rideshare driver, hollowing out one of the most accessible sources of working-class jobs.” Sawadogo says he has driven for Uber, Lyft and the co-op for ten years, and fi rst started as taxi driver in 1998. He fears what will hap- pen to his livelihood if Waymo eliminates the demand for rideshare drivers in Denver. “If they take my driving ability, they take everything,” Sawadogo says. “I really enjoy being a rideshare driver. I like to meet new people, a lot of friends and being part of my community. I really love it. If Waymo comes, I’m going to lose all of that.” What’s Next? They say you can’t stop progress, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. According to Sawadogo, the Colorado Independent Drivers Union plans to ask state legislators to ban autonomous cabs from operating in Colorado for “at least ten years.” “The techno-oligarchs like Elon Musk and Dara Khosrowshahi want to automate us out of jobs and so that they can make more money,” Lustig says. “In a decade, Uber driv- ers will be as relevant as a horse and buggy driver. That’s what they want to make us.” Under a state law passed in 2017, highly au- tonomous driving systems without a human driver are authorized to operate in Colorado if they can meet all applicable state and federal laws. Willford suggests that she is open to further regulations on the technology. “This is a whole new frontier that will come with its own host of issues, and I believe the state has a clear role to play in providing oversight and setting guardrails to protect the public,” the state rep says. Any proposed legislation may face an uphill battle, though, as Waymo enjoys the vocal support of Governor Polis, who has the power to sign or veto any policy that comes from the legislature. “I am confi dent that Waymo’s expansion will not replace local rideshare drivers who are also an important part of our economy and transportation network, but simply increase options for Coloradans,” Polis says. A spokesperson for Mayor Johnston echoes this sentiment: “Waymo is but one of many options Denverites will have to choose from when it comes to transportation, and we will continue to support rideshare drivers in their ability to make a living in Denver.” According to Karp, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles will begin operating downtown in 2026 and gradually expand across the Den- ver area. The company plans to offer airport transportation sometime in the future, too. “We’re just getting started in Denver, but based on our experience in other cities, the Waymo Driver is adapting well to new places,” Karp says. But will a new market adapt? California residents unhappy with Waymo have re- sorted to bullying the vehicles, reportedly jamming traffi c cones onto the hoods, park- ing cars to surround them or simply standing in the road to block their path. Waymo sued two Bay Area residents in 2024, accusing one of slashing tires on nineteen of its vehicles, and the other of intentionally striking a Waymo vehicle twice with his Tesla. Will Denver revolt against the machines or embrace the cyborg chauffeurs? Either way, as Sawadogo puts it, “robots won’t complain.” Email the author at hannah.metzger@westword. com. News continued from page 8 Representative Jenny Willford embraces her legislative colleagues after sharing her sexual assault story during a press conference on January 14. HANNAH METZGER
