Colorado Right-to-Repair Law Safeguarded as Repeal Effort Fails in Senate

Colorado’s effort to roll back parts of its groundbreaking right-to-repair law has ended in failure after a House committee rejected the proposal on April 21, 2025.

The bill, SB26-090, sought to create an exception to the state’s Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment law, which took effect in January 2026. That law guarantees consumers and independent repair shops access to necessary tools, parts, and documentation to fix digital electronics such as smartphones, computers, and Wi-Fi routers.

The repeal attempt targeted protections for devices deemed part of “critical infrastructure,” a term critics argued was so vaguely defined it could apply to nearly any technology. Repair advocates warned the change could set a dangerous precedent, allowing tech companies to undermine repair rights nationwide.

Timeline of SB26-090’s Journey Through the Legislature

The bill was introduced during a Colorado Senate hearing on April 2, 2025, and quickly advanced with unanimous support. It passed the Senate on April 16, 2025.

However, its progress stalled in the House. On April 21, 2025, the bill faced a delayed and contentious hearing in the State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Dozens of supporters and opponents delivered public testimony.

In a final vote, the committee rejected the bill by a margin of 7 to 4, effectively killing it and classifying it as postponed indefinitely.

Industry and Advocate Reactions

The bill was backed by major technology companies, including Cisco and IBM, which lobbied in favor of the measure. Supporters argued that exempting critical infrastructure from repair rules would enhance security and reliability.

Right-to-repair advocates, including consumer groups and independent repair technicians, strongly opposed the bill. They emphasized that the 2024 law had already provided essential protections and that weakening it would harm consumers and small businesses.

“This is a victory for repair rights and for consumers across Colorado. The legislature recognized that the right to repair is fundamental, and attempts to chip away at it will not stand.”

— Repair Association spokesperson

The outcome is seen as a key test for the broader right-to-repair movement in the United States. Advocates view Colorado’s 2024 law as a model for other states considering similar protections.