Under the new Right to Repair law, Colorado residents gain the ability to repair cell phones, computers and other devices

The new law aims to give Coloradans more options for repairing broken cell phones, computers and other devices. Gov. Jared Polis signed HB24-1121 on Tuesday, calling it “one of the most expansive right-to-recovery bills in the country.”

The new law states that device makers such as Samsung and Apple must provide device owners and independent repairers with “documentation, software, data and other tools” to help them repair devices. These materials must be made available at the same prices charged by the manufacturer to authorized repairers.

“Imagine that every time your car breaks down, your only option for repair is the dealer. This is not a world any of us want to live in,” Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said during an earlier committee hearing.

Opponents of this solution, including the telecommunications industry, argued, among others, that it would pose a threat to security.

The law also introduces new restrictions on the practice of “parts pairing,” in which manufacturers limit the types of replacement parts that can be used in a device. The law states that manufacturers cannot prevent anyone from “installing or enabling an otherwise functional replacement part,” nor can they, among other things, “display misleading alerts or warnings regarding unidentified parts.”

The new law expands on the state’s previous “right to repair” policy. The law initially applied only to powered wheelchairs when it was passed in 2022, then was extended to farm equipment last year. The changes were largely spearheaded by Rep. Brianna Titone, a Democrat from Jefferson County. Colorado is one of the leading states in the movement to give consumers more control over the fate of their appliances and appliances.

The new law was passed largely on a partisan basis, with Democratic support and Republican opposition. The changes enter into force on January 1, 2026.

The new law contains numerous exemptions. This does not apply to, among others: video game consoles, modems and routers, security communications equipment, medical devices, electric car chargers, generators and storage systems, power tools, boats and some construction equipment.

The Entertainment Software Association has pushed for excluding gaming consoles, arguing that including them would make it easier to add chips that enable playing pirated games.

The law also excludes motor vehicles, but independent mechanics and car owners already have similar rights under a 2014 memorandum of understanding.

The nonprofit CoPIRG, which advocates for consumer rights, said the law gave Colorado the “broadest repair rights” of any state.

“This action makes Colorado Right to Repair – we will be able to repair more of our stuff than people in any other state,” Executive Director Danny Katz said in a written statement. Violation of the law will be treated as a fraudulent trade practice.

At the committee meeting, opponents of the new law argued that it would threaten the safety and reliability of devices by opening the market to independent shops of questionable quality and making documentation and tools more widely available.

“The market already provides consumers with a wide choice of repairs at varying levels of quality, price and convenience, without the requirements imposed by this legislation. The market is constantly evolving, and manufacturers will continue to make changes to meet consumer demands while offering consumers safe and reliable repair options,” said Michael Blank, director of state legislative affairs at CTIA, the wireless communications industry trade association.

At the hearing, Katz argued that the change is necessary because companies are using technology to take more control of the market and prevent people from making reasonable repairs.

“When you limit the choice and freedom to repair the things you own, it can lead to higher costs. It could also make more people decide it’s not worth it and buy a completely new thing, and that could have a huge impact on our society from an environmental point of view as well,” he said.

The decision was also supported by Senator Nick Hinrichsen and Rep. Steven Woodrow, both Democrats.