Medical Vehicle Services

a man and a woman conducting an inspection of an ambulance

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment's (DDPHE) division of Public Health Investigations regulates medical vehicle services that operate in the City and County of Denver under Chapter 17 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code and the Rules and Regulations Governing Emergency Medical Vehicles.

Secure Transportation Services

Secure transportation services provide voluntary, urgent (but not medical, emergency, or police) transportation to treatment facilities for individuals experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis. These services are intended to help address the needs of those in crisis without the alarm/stigma of a marked law enforcement vehicle showing up to help

Colorado legislature passed HB21-1085 that requires all Colorado counties to adopt a licensing program for secure transportation services. No secure transportation service, public or private, shall transport a person experiencing a behavioral health crisis from any point within Colorado to another point within or outside Colorado unless such service holds a valid license and vehicle permits issued by the county or counties in which the secure transportation service is based. “Based” means a service area in a county where the client is picked up for secure transportation services.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) established state regulations in 6 CCR 1011-4 that were adopted by the Colorado State Board of Health on June 15, 2022 and became effective August 14, 2022.

Those based in Denver County will need to license their company, permit their vehicles, and license their drivers with the City and County of Denver.

Emergency Medical Vehicle Services

Emergency Medical Vehicle Services include publicly or privately owned businesses that operate vehicles that transport individuals who are sick, injured or otherwise incapacitated or helpless. An ambulance is an example of an emergency medical vehicle. 

Those based in Denver County will need to license their company and permit their vehicles with The City and County of Denver.

Non-Emergency Medical Vehicle Services

A non-emergency medical service operates any surface vehicle for hire equipped to transport sick or disabled persons and to provide non-emergency medical service. 

Those based in the City and County of Denver will be required to license their company and their drivers.

Private Emergency Vehicle Operators

Private emergency vehicles are privately owned emergency vehicles other than ambulances, employed by public service corporations.

Those based in the City and County of Denver will be required to license their drivers.