Right to Repair Becomes Law in Colorado

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2023
Contact: Bob Kjelland bob.kjelland@rmfu.org 

(DENVER, CO) – Colorado Governor Jared Polis today signed the Consumer Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment Bill into law, making Colorado the first state to assure farmers and ranchers are not held captive to equipment manufacturers.

“Right to Repair has been an important issue for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union for a long time as we address Fairness for Farmers initiatives, said Chad Franke, president of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. This bill protects the rights of farmers and ranchers to choose how they repair their equipment and to have that work done in a timely manner. Lawmakers understood the immediate importance of this bill because of the farmers who showed up and told their stories of how right to repair makes sense. Our thanks to Governor Polis for signing this legislation into law.”

Governor Polis said Colorado is leading the nation in making sure farmers can take care of their own equipment or to find local repair services.

The new law clears the way for farmers and ranchers to diagnose and repair their own equipment however they choose. In addition to still being able to have a dealer diagnose and repair the equipment, farmers and ranchers now also have to opportunity to use an independent repair provider if they choose not to fix the equipment themselves. “Simply put, farmers and ranchers now have the freedom to choose how to repair the equipment that they own without the burdensome restrictions that could leave their equipment down at a critical time for their operation,” added Franke.

“While Colorado is the first state to accomplish this, we trust other states will follow our lead by allowing farmers and ranchers to work on their own equipment rather than have to wait for the manufacturers to pick and choose who gets service first and at profit from their exclusive hold on technology,’ continued Franke. He noted the legislation passed in true bipartisan fashion.

“We are thankful for our partners that also worked very hard to ensure that farmers and ranchers are not restricted on where or how they could fix their equipment, including Colorado Public Research Group (CoPIRG), Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Colorado Corn Growers Association, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, and many others,” said Franke.” We also want to give a special thank you to Representative Brianna Titone, Representative Ron Weinberg, Senator Janice Marchman, and Senator Nick Hinrichsen for sponsoring this bill.”