right to repair / cisco / ibm

Colorado lawmakers advanced bill SB26-090 to exempt “information technology equipment” used in critical infrastructure from the state’s 2024 Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment Act. Major tech manufacturers including Cisco and IBM support the change, citing cybersecurity and intellectual property concerns around permitting broader access to repair tools, parts, and software for enterprise-grade routers, servers, and similar gear. Repair advocates and groups such as CoPIRG, the Repair Association, and iFixit oppose the bill, arguing its vague language could be used to broadly deny repair rights and undermine Colorado’s leading right-to-repair framework. The outcome will shape whether repair protections extend to networking and server equipment tied to infrastructure.

Colorado lawmakers advanced SB26-090 to exempt “information technology” used in “critical infrastructure” from the state’s 2024 Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment act. The bill, backed by tech manufacturers including Cisco and IBM, would narrow repair rights that took effect in January 2026 by excluding enterprise-grade routers, servers, and similar equipment—citing cybersecurity and IP protection. Repair advocates from CoPIRG, the Repair Association, and iFixit, along with influencers like Louis Rossmann, oppose the move, arguing the bill’s vague definitions could be exploited to broadly strip repair rights and preserve vendor control. The vote reflects an industry push to limit consumer repair access where vendors see commercial or security risks.

Colorado lawmakers moved SB26-090 out of committee to potentially exempt “information technology” used in “critical infrastructure” from the state’s broad 2024 consumer right-to-repair law. Major tech manufacturers including Cisco and IBM back the bill, citing cybersecurity and intellectual property concerns around enterprise-grade routers, servers, and other equipment. Repair advocates and groups such as CoPIRG, the Repair Association, and iFixit—joined by influencers like Louis Rossmann—argue the bill’s language is vague and could be used to broadly strip repair rights, effectively letting vendors control repairs across the internet. The outcome could reshape how repairability and security balance for both consumer and enterprise tech in Colorado and beyond.

Colorado senators advanced SB26-090, a bill that would exempt “information technology equipment” used in critical infrastructure from the state’s 2024 Consumer Right to Repair Digital Electronic Equipment Act. Backed by manufacturers including Cisco and IBM, the measure aims to limit consumer repair rights for routers, servers and other enterprise gear, citing cybersecurity and intellectual property concerns. Repair advocates from groups such as CoPIRG, the Repair Association, iFixit and voices like Louis Rossmann argue the bill’s vague wording could broadly neuter Colorado’s sweeping repair protections and let vendors control who can fix internet-connected devices. The fight highlights industry pushback against expanding repair rights and the tension between security, corporate control, and user autonomy.