. Lawmakers, in a letter to the state’s Public Utilities Commission last month, expressed outrage over Wyatts forcing consumers to agree to what the company calls a loan in order to get their vehicles back.
But documents and video reviewed by The Denver Post show the company does charge fees for people to retrieve their cars and rejects some drivers who apply for these loans due to insufficient documentation. Wyatts represents a concerning example of the extent to which towing operators are skirting the spirit of the new law, advocates say.“Exceptionally unfriendly to consumers”
“If someone shows up and says, ‘This is my cousin’s uncle’s brother’s car,’ do we release it to them?” said Troy Porras, co-founder of Wyatts Towing, during a hearing Tuesday. “Who do we collect from, then?” For many, producing a clean title and up-to-date registration for their vehicle isn’t an issue. But legions of low-income Coloradans may use cars on long-term loan from family or have purchased their vehicles through the informal economy, advocates say — which means they might not have paid fees to register the car or changed the title.
In one loan agreement, the tow operator asked the applicant to list their employer, income, rent/mortgage and banking information. Legislators who wrote HB22-1314 say Wyatts’ loans are a clear violation of the law. Ricks called on the attorney general’s office and the PUC to take action.