Looking to bring accountability to online dating apps, several Colorado lawmakers have introduced a bill to regulate dating apps and protect users from assaults, harassment and exploitation stemming from the use of the popular apps, according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat representing Adams County.
“Something clearly has to be done,” said Winter, who said part of the impetus for her bill was the case of Denver cardiologist Dr. Stephen Matthews , who is facing 38 felony charges for allegedly drugging 11 women he met on dating apps between 2020 and 2023, then allegedly sexually assaulting nine of them. Matthews is scheduled to stand trial in March. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“We want to prevent the same kinds of things from happening,” said Winter.
Her bill will face its first public hearing on Feb. 12, two days before Valentine’s Day, which Winter said is not a coincidence.
The proposed measure would require dating apps to: