Taxi drivers who refuse to pick up passengers for religious reasons do so in violation of state rules, Colorado’s top taxicab regulator said Tuesday.
“We’re sorry what your religion or culture might be, but you’re here in Colorado now, and you’re providing a service,” Terry Willert said during a state transportation committee meeting.
Willert, who is the Public Utilities Commission’s chief of transportation, said he knows of cases where immigrant cabbies, whose religion or culture considers dogs unclean, have refused to pick up disabled passengers using guide dogs.
State Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, who is a member of the committee, quizzed Willert on the comment.
“Are you saying … they should just get over it?” Renfroe said.
Willert said he believes refusing to pick anyone up for any reason violates state rules.
He also said that if drivers were allowed to refuse service for religious reasons, it could create headaches in busy spots for cabs, such as Denver International Airport.
Neither Renfroe nor Willert could be reached for comment after the meeting.
