Colorado Lawmakers Reject Bill to Roll Back Digital Right-to-Repair Protections
A controversial bill in Colorado aimed at rolling back parts of the state's pioneering right-to-repair law has failed, preserving consumer protections for fixing digital electronics. Senate Bill 26-090, which sought to exempt information technology equipment used in critical infrastructure from these rules, was postponed indefinitely by a House committee on April 27, 2026, effectively killing it for the session.
The original law, House Bill 24-1121 known as the Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment, took effect on January 1, 2026. It requires manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair providers with access to tools, parts, and documentation for digital devices like smartphones, laptops, and other electronics sold or used in the state after mid-2021. This makes Colorado the first state to enact such broad protections, setting a national precedent amid growing pushes for repair rights across the US.
Manufacturers, concerned about security risks in critical infrastructure—defined as vital systems impacting national security, public health, or the economy—backed SB26-090 to create exemptions. The bill would have allowed the state attorney general to review and approve such exemptions, particularly for business-to-business or government contracts not sold retail. As reported by Ars Technica, the effort to repeal or weaken the law ultimately collapsed despite industry support.
Right-to-repair advocates hailed the outcome as a major win. They viewed the bill as a test case for how tech companies might undermine similar laws elsewhere, according to a Wired report quoted on Slashdot. Groups argued that exemptions could open the door to broader restrictions, limiting consumers' ability to fix their own devices without relying on authorized service centers.
The failure leaves the 2026 law intact, though not without ongoing debates. Governor Jared Polis had signed the original bill in 2024 but issued a statement urging fixes before implementation, noting Colorado's unique inclusion of critical infrastructure devices. Some provisions may still face delays as the attorney general's office reviews enforcement.
Consumers, independent repair shops, and everyday Coloradans stand to benefit most, gaining better access to affordable repairs and reducing electronic waste. Manufacturers must now comply, potentially spurring innovation in parts availability. What happens next remains unclear—industry groups could regroup for future sessions, while advocates push to strengthen the law nationwide.
This victory underscores the momentum behind right-to-repair movements, with Colorado's stance influencing policy in other states. As WPSL reports, the state has led the nation in empowering people to fix their own devices, thwarting attempts to claw back that control.