Colorado takes on Big Tech with new right-to-repair law for electronics

New repair law kicks in for Colorado

Colorado residents now have the right to fix their own electronics.

The state’s right-to-repair law for digital devices took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, after Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill in May 2024.

The law forces manufacturers to share parts, tools, and repair guides with consumers and independent repair shops at fair prices. It also bans a common practice that blocked non-approved replacement parts from working.

The goal is simple: give people more choices and cut down on electronic waste.

Phones, computers, and appliances all qualify

The law covers a wide range of everyday electronics, from cell phones and computers to TVs, printers, household appliances, e-bikes, and HVAC systems.

Any device first made and sold or used in Colorado on or after July 1, 2021, falls under the new rules. One thing that sets Colorado apart from most other states is that the law also covers business equipment.

Most states only protect individual consumers, but Colorado extends those rights to companies too.

Manufacturers can’t lock out replacement parts

One of the biggest changes targets something called “parts pairing.”

That’s when a manufacturer uses software to link a specific part, like a screen or battery, to a device through a digital code.

If someone swaps that part without the manufacturer’s blessing, the device might lose features or flash warnings. For example, replacing an iPhone screen without Apple’s software could disable color adjustment tools.

Colorado now bans manufacturers from using parts pairing to block repairs or mislead consumers.

Software tools must be free

Manufacturers can still charge for physical parts and repair tools. But under the new law, they must offer software tools at no cost.

That includes diagnostic programs and firmware that people need to finish a repair.

There’s another catch for manufacturers: they have to charge independent shops the same prices they charge their own authorized repair providers.

That levels the playing field between the local repair shop down the street and a manufacturer’s own service center.

Video game consoles get a pass

Not everything falls under the new rules. Video game consoles are exempt because of concerns about piracy and security.

Motor vehicles, boats, and aviation equipment are also left out.

Medical devices don’t qualify either, though powered wheelchairs have had their own repair protections in Colorado since 2023. Certain safety equipment, fire alarm systems, and security monitoring gear are also exempt.

And manufacturers don’t have to hand over trade secrets or a product’s source code.

Rule breakers face steep fines

Breaking this law counts as a deceptive trade practice under Colorado’s consumer protection rules. That means violations can carry civil penalties of up to $20,000 per incident.

The Colorado Attorney General can investigate complaints and take legal action against companies that don’t follow through. Independent repair shops have responsibilities too.

They must tell customers upfront if they’re not authorized by the manufacturer and whether they use non-manufacturer parts.

Repairs could cost you less now

When manufacturers control who fixes a device, consumers often pay more and wait longer. A phone screen repair through a manufacturer can run anywhere from about $130 to $380 or more, depending on the model.

Independent shops and do-it-yourself fixes can sometimes cost a lot less. Consumer advocates say more competition among repair providers should help push prices down.

The law could also help people hang on to their devices longer instead of replacing them.

Colorado built this law piece by piece

This didn’t happen overnight. Colorado passed its first right-to-repair law in 2022, covering powered wheelchairs.

A second law followed in 2023 for farm equipment like tractors. The 2024 digital electronics law is the third and broadest of the bunch.

Colorado is one of only two states, along with Oregon, that ban parts pairing in their electronics repair laws. Each law built on the last, and the digital electronics version brings the widest protections yet.

Apple and Google shifted their approach

Some major manufacturers have already started adjusting.

Apple now allows used genuine Apple parts in repairs and said it would let third-party batteries and screens keep full features like battery health readings.

Google publicly backed parts-pairing bans during Colorado’s legislative process.

Some industry groups raised concerns about cybersecurity risks from broader repair access, but consumer advocates and some security professionals pushed back on those claims.

Other states are following Colorado’s lead

About one in four Americans now lives in a state with an enforceable right-to-repair law for electronics. New York passed the first one in late 2022.

California, Minnesota, and Oregon followed in 2023 and 2024. Washington state also started enforcing its own repair laws at the start of 2026.

Connecticut and Texas have laws set to take effect later this year, which would push coverage to about 35% of the U.S. population.

Repair laws aim to tackle e-waste

Americans produce millions of tons of electronic waste every year, making it one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the country. Only a small fraction of tossed-out electronics get properly recycled.

Supporters say right-to-repair laws can help by keeping devices in use longer.

When someone can fix a cracked screen or swap out a dying battery instead of buying a new phone, fewer gadgets end up in landfills.

The United Nations has flagged e-waste as a global concern, with worldwide totals expected to reach about 82 million metric tons by 2030.

How to use the new law

Colorado residents can now bring broken electronics to any independent repair shop or fix devices themselves with manufacturer-provided parts and guides.

If a manufacturer refuses to provide what the law requires, consumers can file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General’s office.

The law doesn’t guarantee every repair will be cheap or easy, but it removes many barriers manufacturers previously put in place.

Other states may pass similar laws in the coming years, so these protections could eventually reach more Americans.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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