Colorado Leads With Broad Right-to-Repair Laws, Faces Tech Industry Backlash
Key Takeaways
- Colorado passed landmark right-to-repair laws since 2022 enabling user fixes for wheelchairs, farming gear, electronics.
- Tech giants push back, making Colorado a major right-to-repair battleground in the United States.
- Movement has rippled nationwide with similar repair bills spreading beyond Colorado.
Colorado's Right-to-Repair Leadership
Colorado has become the epicenter of America's right-to-repair movement.
“Right-to-repair efforts are gaining headway in the US”
The state has the broadest repair rights in the country, said CoPIRG's Danny Katz.
Similar efforts have rippled out, with bills introduced in every state and passed in eight.
Manufacturers like Cisco and IBM are backing a bill to exempt critical infrastructure.
Exempting Critical Infrastructure
The new bill seeks to exempt IT equipment intended for critical infrastructure.
Opponents warn the language is broad enough to swallow consumer protections.
Repair advocates see the bill as a direct effort by tech giants to reassert control.
The bill was voted out of committee unanimously.
Industry Interests and Consumer Costs
Manufacturers stand to make more money charging for repairs.
“Right-to-repair efforts are gaining headway in the US”
Some companies have begrudgingly agreed to make products more repairable.
Cisco and IBM have vested interests in manufacturing routers, servers, and computers.
More on Technology and Science
Artemis II Crew Near Moon, Faces Urine Vent Issues, Inspires Worldwide
21 sources compared
Artemis II Crew Captures Historic Earth Photo and Prepares Moon Reconnaissance
12 sources compared
Artemis II Astronauts Observe Far Side of Moon in Historic Flyby
16 sources compared
Artemis II Successfully Launches, Crew Prepares for Lunar Flyby
21 sources compared