They came in like a swarm of locusts and then just disappeared. But those cheap rentable scooters could be returning soon.
Dockless electric scooter companies Lime and Bird are close to reaching a deal with Denver Public Works that would allow them to legally return to every nook and cranny of the city.
According to Nancy Kuhn with Public Works, several scooter companies were brought to an informal meeting on Friday last week to hear the city's ideas for a pilot program.
Kuhn told 9NEWS the city is close to finalizing their pilot program and intend to open up the application process to companies starting this Friday.
She said Public Works will take a bit of time to review the applications but hopes to get back to the companies quickly.
There's no current set date for the return of the scooters.
In the meantime, two of the most prominent scooter companies, Lime and Bird, continue to see their valuation increase despite consistent run-ins with city officials. Denver isn't the only city to do battle with the companies.
Both companies are headquartered on the West Coast, Bird being from San Francisco and Lime from Seattle. They've quickly moved eastward and have seen their valuations spike. Both companies are valued at more than $1 billion.
