Waymo in Denver
Waymo's driverless taxis are now giving public rides in Denver — hailed through the Waymo app since September 2026. What it means for cyclists and road users.
By Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
*Update — October 2026: Since this post was published, Waymo launched public driverless ride-hailing in Denver and Glendale on September 1, 2026 — fully driverless, hailed through the Waymo app, now serving paying riders across the metro. The Zeekr van mentioned below is Waymo's new Ojai minivan. The winter-weather question at the end is still the one to watch.
As of January 2026: Yes, Waymo is operating in Denver, Colorado. If you haven't already seen them, it's only a matter of time before you spot the driverless taxis with their distinctive black sensor 'hat' on the roof making their way around Denver. Waymo runs a couple of different vehicles: a white Jaguar SUV and a small Zeekr van in baby blue or blue silver.
Waymo is an American autonomous driving technology company, a subsidiary of Google's parent company, Alphabet, Inc. The vehicles are driverless and use AI together with cameras, radar, and LIDAR to navigate streets. To hail one, you request a ride with the Waymo app, much like Uber or Lyft. Waymo has been in Denver since September mapping and testing its vehicles with drivers, but the public can't get in one quite yet. The plan is for public rides in Central Denver sometime in early 2026.
Waymo claims to improve convenience and safety compared to human drivers, but Denver's winter road conditions may pose a greater challenge for these driverless vehicles. With an unseasonably warm start to the winter driving season, there hasn't been much opportunity to test these autonomous vehicles on snow and ice in Denver. As the first real winter storms arrive in January 2026, we may soon find out more real-world data. Stay tuned and watch for these distinctive vehicles on a Denver street near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waymo operating in Denver?
Yes. Waymo has been mapping and testing in Denver since September with safety drivers behind the wheel. Public rides in Central Denver started September 2026.
What do Waymo vehicles look like?
A white Jaguar SUV or a small Zeekr van in baby blue or blue silver — both with a distinctive black sensor "hat" on the roof housing the cameras, radar, and LIDAR.
How do you hail a Waymo?
Through the Waymo app, much like requesting an Uber or Lyft. The cars are fully driverless once public service begins.
Can driverless cars handle Denver winters?
That's the open question. Waymo claims its vehicles are safer than human drivers, but Denver's snow and ice present a serious challenge — and there hadn't been much real winter testing here yet. The first big storms will be the real test.
What happens if a Waymo hits me while I'm biking?
That's a new frontier in injury law — with no human driver, liability questions shift to the company, the software, and the vehicle's maintenance. The goods news is these vehicles record lots of data during their operation and generate a lot of evidence like digital data and video that will be helpful in proving liability. The question will be what information gets turned over voluntarily or it a court will be required. If you're ever hit by a driverless vehicle, call me.
Have a question about your case?
Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado.
About the Author
Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.
- Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009
- Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims
- Avid road and commuter cyclist
