Colorado just shut down a bill that would have gutted its right-to-repair protections. The state has been a leader in making sure people can actually fix the devices and equipment they own, but manufacturers wanted to change that.
The proposed legislation would have given companies more control over repairs, limiting what consumers and independent repair shops could do. It's the kind of move we've seen manufacturers try in other states, arguing that proprietary systems need protection.
But the bill failed. For now, Colorado's existing right-to-repair framework stays intact, meaning people retain access to the parts, tools, and information needed to fix their own stuff.
This matters if you're using AI-powered devices or building with hardware that integrates AI. Right-to-repair laws affect everything from laptops running local AI models to smart devices and robotics. When you can't repair something, you're stuck in the manufacturer's ecosystem, which limits how you can modify, optimize, or extend the life of your tools.
The fight isn't over, though. Manufacturers have been pushing similar legislation across the country, and Colorado's victory is just one battle in a longer war over who controls the devices we depend on.
