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Senate approves right-to-repair exemption for critical infrastructure after heated debate
Summary
The Colorado Senate on April 7 approved Senate Bill 90, creating a critical-infrastructure exemption to the state's right-to-repair law after debate over the exemption's scope and reports of threats tied to the legislation. Sponsors said the attorney general will handle disputes; opponents pledged to tighten definitions ahead of final reading.
The Colorado Senate approved Senate Bill 90 on April 7, adding a critical-infrastructure exemption to the state's Consumer Repair Bill of Rights. Supporters said the change aligns Colorado with other states and provides a process for disputes to be reviewed by the attorney general's office.
Senator Snyder urged approval and framed the measure as a continuation of prior right-to-repair work, saying Colorado needed an exemption to protect truly sensitive systems while preserving consumer repair rights. "This is really just a necessary piece that the governor's office, the attorney general's office feels we need to have," Snyder said.
Senator Carson, a sponsor, said the bill allows Colorado to be both "defenders and champions of consumer rights" while protecting critical infrastructure and noted backing from the governor's and attorney general's offices.
Opponents cautioned the exemption's definition is too broad. Senator Bridal said, "The definition of critical infrastructure is wide enough that a truck could drive through there," and urged colleagues to craft a narrower definition. Bridal also said staff would work with sponsors on a substantive third-reading amendment.
Several senators condemned threats of violence connected to the debate. Senator Kidd called political violence "completely inappropriate" and urged constituents to use civil avenues such as e-mail or phone. Bridal said some people online had made death threats related to the bill, and described that conduct as "unbelievably inappropriate." Senator Snyder reiterated that right-to-repair remains supported and that exemptions in other states have not undermined repair efforts.
Senators adopted the bill on the floor. Sponsors and opponents alike signaled they would continue to collaborate on the statutory definition of "critical infrastructure" before final enactment.
Next steps: Senate Bill 90 was adopted and will proceed according to legislative process for enrolment and any further technical amendments ahead of final signature.
