Drivers Coop Colorado Achieves Major Milestone as First Cooperative Selected as Official Transportation Provider for Major Denver Conference
1,000-member worker-owned rideshare cooperative partners with RosettaFest 2025, demonstrating momentum for cooperative solutions across essential services
DENVER, CO – Drivers Coop Colorado has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first worker-owned rideshare cooperative selected as the official and preferred transportation provider for a major Denver conference with over 1,200 attendees. The partnership with RosettaFest 2025, the premier healthcare transformation conference taking place August 24-27, demonstrates the growing momentum behind cooperative models that prioritize community benefit over corporate extraction.
This historic selection reflects both the cooperative's operational maturity and the mission alignment between organizations committed to transforming essential services through local ownership and democratic governance.
RosettaFest attracts over 1,200 of the nation's most forward-thinking healthcare professionals, including clinicians pioneering relationship-based care, employers and unions implementing Community-Owned Health Plans, benefits professionals certified in value-based purchasing, and technology companies building transparent healthcare solutions.
"This partnership represents a breakthrough moment for the cooperative movement," said [spokesperson name], [title] at Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. "When the nation's leading healthcare transformation conference selects a worker-owned cooperative as their preferred transportation provider, it signals that cooperative solutions have reached mainstream acceptance across multiple sectors."
Drivers Coop Colorado operates as a true worker cooperative with 1,200 driver-members who democratically make decisions on major affairs and policies. Drivers retain 80% of fares, earning 25-30% more than traditional rideshare platforms while maintaining collective control over their platform's operations. The cooperative maintains a physical office where drivers gather to rest, participate in meetings, and attend specialized training programs including disability transport services.
"Being selected as the first cooperative transportation provider for a major Denver conference validates our mission and demonstrates the community support we've built," explained [Drivers Coop spokesperson]. "Our 1,000 driver-members make the decisions, and this partnership shows that communities recognize the value of locally-owned businesses that serve our neighbors."
The cooperative approach keeps transportation dollars circulating within Colorado communities rather than flowing to distant corporate shareholders. This model emerged from the same frustration with extractive business models that has driven healthcare transformation efforts nationwide.
"Healthcare and transportation represent two of the largest expenses for families and employers," noted [RMEOC spokesperson]. "When both operate through community-controlled models with democratic governance, the economic impact multiplies throughout local economies. This partnership demonstrates that cooperative solutions are ready for mainstream adoption."
The Health Rosetta movement, which RosettaFest supports, has helped employers nationwide achieve 20-40% healthcare savings while improving care quality. These savings, termed the "Health Rosetta Dividend," fund community investments ranging from education initiatives to workforce development programs. Similarly, Drivers Coop's higher driver earnings, democratic decision-making, and local ownership create economic multiplier effects throughout Colorado.
Conference attendees will use the CO-OP Rideshare app to request rides, experiencing the seamless service delivery that democratically-governed cooperative models can provide. The partnership demonstrates how essential services can prioritize community benefit and worker empowerment while maintaining the operational excellence required for large-scale events.
"RosettaFest brings together the leaders who are proving that healthcare can serve communities rather than extract from them," said [Drivers Coop spokesperson]. "We're honored to be the first cooperative selected as the official transportation provider for a major Denver conference, and we're excited to show that transportation can embody these same values of local ownership and democratic governance."
The Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center, which helped establish Drivers Coop Colorado, has been instrumental in Colorado's emergence as a national leader in cooperative development. The state's supportive policy environment, including the Colorado Employee Ownership Office and various tax incentives, has created fertile ground for cooperative innovation across multiple sectors.
RosettaFest 2025 will feature case studies from communities that have successfully implemented Community-Owned Health Plans, workshops on cooperative healthcare models, and networking opportunities for professionals committed to healthcare transformation. The conference takes place at [venue], with transportation available through the CO-OP Colorado app launching today.
About Drivers Coop Colorado Drivers Coop Colorado is a worker-owned rideshare cooperative with 1,000 driver-members throughout the Denver metropolitan area. Founded in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center, the cooperative operates through democratic governance where drivers make decisions on major policies while retaining 80% of fares. The cooperative maintains a physical office space for driver gatherings, training programs, and community building.
About Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center The Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center promotes worker ownership and cooperative development throughout the Mountain West region. RMEOC provides technical assistance, education, and advocacy to support businesses transitioning to employee ownership and communities developing cooperative enterprises.
About RosettaFest RosettaFest is the annual gathering of the Health Rosetta community, bringing together healthcare professionals, employers, and solution providers committed to transforming healthcare delivery through transparency, local control, and community ownership.
Media Contact: LynAnn Henderson ([email protected] 406-671-6573)
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