Across Colorado, people are fighting for the right to repair their stuff. Where can they go to learn how to do it?
Colorado has enacted several right-to-repair laws since 2022, but a new bill, Senate Bill 90, could undo some of these protections by exempting technology equipment used in critical infrastructure. Consumer protection groups argue that the bill's broad definition of 'critical infrastructure' could effectively cancel out previous right-to-repair laws.
In Colorado, people are fighting for the right to repair their belongings, with events like the monthly Repair Café in Longmont providing a space for expert tinkerers to volunteer their time to fix broken items. The state has enacted several right-to-repair laws since 2022, including laws giving consumers the right to repair powered wheelchairs, agricultural equipment, and digital equipment. However, Senate Bill 90, currently moving through the Capitol, could undo some of these protections by exempting technology equipment used in critical infrastructure. The bill is supported by groups like Cisco, IBM, and TechNet, which argue that exemptions are necessary to protect against cybersecurity threats and intellectual property infringement. Consumer protection groups, including CoPIRG, oppose the bill, arguing that its broad definition of 'critical infrastructure' could effectively cancel out previous right-to-repair laws. The bill passed in the Senate 22-13 on April 16 and is awaiting deliberation in the House.
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