Amazon-owned Zoox is bringing its self-driving vehicles to Denver streets this winter, but don't expect to hail one just yet. The company says its small fleet of purpose-built robotaxis will be driven manually by human safety drivers, with no members of the public riding along, and it currently has no plans to offer commercial robotaxi rides in the city.
According to 98.5 KYGO, Zoox announced it will bring the test fleet to Denver specifically to begin vehicle training during the winter months, using heavy rain and snow to improve its robotaxi system's performance in tough weather. The company has described its vehicle as “a robotaxi designed around you,” pointing to features like charging pads, cupholders, and room for riders' bags and items, even though no riders will be using them in Denver for now. Zoox's service has already begun operations in 12 cities, including Austin, Miami, San Francisco, and, more recently, Houston and San Diego.
The Denver test comes as Zoox's rival, Alphabet-owned Waymo, has already established a commercial foothold in the city. Waymo officially launched paid, fully driverless ride-hailing in Denver on September 1, opening a 60-square-mile service area that covers central neighborhoods like LoDo, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek, according to The Colorado Sun. That launch followed a winter testing period elsewhere, since Waymo typically puts its fleet through cold-weather training in a given city before opening commercial service — though last year's warmer-than-normal Denver winter had complicated those plans, per KYGO's reporting.
Waymo's Rocky Debut Draws Scrutiny
Waymo's arrival hasn't been entirely smooth. The company faced public scrutiny after two separate navigation incidents: one vehicle approached fresh asphalt in a Denver construction zone, and another drove through the South Pearl Street Farmers Market during morning vendor setup, as reported by 9NEWS. Hoodline previously covered the farmers market incident that rattled vendors, and an earlier pre-launch pileup near Denver Health.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has nonetheless publicly endorsed Waymo's arrival, stating that autonomous electric vehicles align with the city's priorities for zero-emission transit, safety, and urban mobility, according to the Denver Gazette. Waymo's Denver passenger fleet runs on its sixth-generation, all-electric “Ojai” vehicle, which is equipped with lidar, radar, 13 cameras, and enhanced cleaning mechanisms for snowy conditions, per KUNC.
Colorado's Hands-Off Approach to Self-Driving Rules
Colorado's regulatory environment has generally favored autonomous vehicle testing and deployment. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-242, enacted through Senate Bill 17-213 in 2017, self-driving systems are authorized statewide as long as they comply with traffic laws, and local municipalities like Denver are explicitly barred from setting their own, different rules for automated vehicles, according to Justia Law.
Separately, the Colorado State Patrol has flagged safety concerns tied to automation: the Colorado Department of Revenue recorded 11 crashes between 2021 and early 2025 involving automated vehicle features where driver impairment was suspected, and troopers have reminded motorists that they remain legally responsible while automated driving modes are engaged.
A Fast-Growing Market Fuels the Rush
Zoox has been moving fast elsewhere, too. Hoodline previously reported on a Zoox crash on the Vegas Strip.
Zoox has also launched service in other cities. For now, Denver residents curious about self-driving cars will still need to book a Waymo if they want an actual ride — Zoox's vehicles on local streets are strictly in training mode.
