Right to Repair: Colorado's Historic New Law

If you have ever stared at a cracked phone screen and dreaded the massive repair bill from the manufacturer, relief is finally on the way. Colorado has passed groundbreaking legislation that forces major technology companies to provide consumers and independent shops with the parts, tools, and manuals needed to fix their own devices.

Understanding Colorado House Bill 24-1121

In April 2024, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 24-1121 into law. This legislation represents a massive victory for the Right to Repair movement. While states like New York, Minnesota, and California have passed similar bills in recent years, consumer advocacy groups like iFixit have called the Colorado law the strongest and most comprehensive piece of repair legislation in the United States to date.

The core rule is simple: if a company makes a digital electronic product, they must allow the owner to fix it. Starting on January 1, 2026, tech manufacturers will be legally required to sell original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, specialized tools, and detailed repair manuals to anyone who asks. They must also offer these materials at fair and reasonable prices, meaning a company cannot charge $500 for a replacement battery just to discourage you from doing the repair yourself.

This specific law covers digital electronic equipment manufactured and sold on or after July 1, 2021. If you own an iPhone 13, a Google Pixel 7, or a modern Samsung Galaxy tablet, those devices fall under the protection of this new mandate.

The End of Parts Pairing

The most significant and historic part of Colorado’s new law is its direct ban on a controversial practice known as “parts pairing.”

Over the last decade, companies like Apple began using software locks to tie specific hardware components to a single device’s motherboard. For example, if you took a perfectly functional screen from one iPhone 15 and installed it onto another identical iPhone 15, the phone’s software would recognize that the serial numbers did not match. The phone would then disable features like FaceID or True Tone display, even though the replacement part was an authentic Apple screen.

Parts pairing effectively killed the practice of harvesting parts from broken devices. It also forced consumers and independent repair shops to buy completely new, software-authorized parts directly from the manufacturer.

Under the new Colorado law, manufacturers are strictly forbidden from using software to block third-party parts or artificially limit a device’s functionality after an independent repair. Tech giants can no longer display alarming error messages on your home screen simply because you chose a local repair shop over their official retail stores.

How Tech Giants Are Responding

The pushback from major technology companies was initially fierce. For years, lobbyists for companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung argued that allowing consumers to open their devices would cause safety issues, such as punctured lithium-ion batteries causing fires. They also claimed that independent repairs could compromise user data security.

However, the tide has officially turned. Seeing that state-by-state legislation is becoming unavoidable, tech giants are changing their business models.

Apple recently announced changes to its repair program, stating they will begin allowing independent shops and customers to use genuine used Apple parts to repair select iPhone models later this year. Google has also partnered with iFixit to supply official parts for their Pixel phone lineup. Colorado’s strict legal requirements are accelerating this shift, forcing these companies to build repairability into their supply chains rather than treating it as an afterthought.

What This Means for Everyday Consumers

For the average consumer, this legislation translates directly to saving money and saving time.

Currently, if your laptop keyboard stops working, you often have to ship the device to a central repair hub and wait two weeks for its return. Once the Colorado law takes full effect, you will be able to order the exact replacement keyboard directly from the manufacturer and follow a free, official step-by-step manual to install it yourself on a Saturday afternoon.

If you do not feel comfortable opening up your electronics, you still win. Local independent repair shops in your neighborhood will have access to the exact same schematics and diagnostic software as the big retail stores. This increased competition will drive down the cost of common repairs, such as battery replacements and screen fixes.

Exemptions in the Legislation

While the law is incredibly broad, it does not cover every single machine with a microchip. Lawmakers included specific exemptions for certain industries.

Motor vehicles, marine vessels, and aviation equipment are completely exempt from HB24-1121. Medical devices are also excluded due to strict federal health and safety regulations. Finally, video game consoles (like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X) are exempt, as manufacturers successfully argued that opening these systems could encourage widespread software piracy and copyright infringement.

Despite these exemptions, the scope of the devices covered (smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and smart home electronics) makes this a monumental win for the average tech user.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Colorado Right to Repair law officially take effect? The specific provisions requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and manuals for digital electronic equipment go into effect on January 1, 2026.

Does this law apply to older electronics? The law specifically covers digital electronic equipment manufactured on or after July 1, 2021. Older devices are not legally guaranteed access to OEM parts under this specific bill.

Will I void my warranty if I repair my own phone? Under federal law (specifically the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act), a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you opened your device or used a third-party repair service. However, if you cause physical damage to the device while attempting a repair, the manufacturer is not obligated to cover that specific damage under warranty.

Are video game consoles covered by this law? No. Video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox are explicitly exempt from this legislation due to concerns over digital piracy and copyright protection.