Right To Repair

Colorado Senate passes tractor Right to Repair

Colorado farmers are a vote and a signature away from having the right to repair their tractors. The state would be the first in the country to pass such a law.

A green combine harvests golden wheat
Alex Fu | Used by permission

Colorado farmers are a vote and a signature away from having the right to repair their tractors.

The Colorado Senate passed the Consumer Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment Act (HB23-1011) Thursday on a 25-8, bipartisan vote. The bill, sponsored by state Sens. Nick Hinrichsen and Janice Marchman, would provide farmers with repair options by requiring manufacturers to make available all materials needed to fix farm equipment such as tractors and combines. 

For years, John Deere and other equipment manufacturers have been designing equipment which requires software tools to complete certain repairs. Manufacturers have withheld those tools, pushing farmers to take equipment back to the dealership.

The state Senate passage comes after years of campaigning by PIRG, National Farmers Union, Repair.org, iFixit and other farm and repair organizations, despite recent industry promises that advocates have called nothing more than ‘pinky swears.’ PIRG’s research has demonstrated how modern tractors are engineered to thwart independent repair, why farmers broadly support Right to Repair and how dealership consolidation further erodes farmers’ repair choices.

The bill now returns to the Colorado House, where it originally passed by a 48-12 vote, for a procedural vote. That would send the bill to Governor Jared Polis’ desk.

PIRG Right to Repair Campaign Director speaks at a podium in front of a National Farmers Union backdrop.
Kevin O'Reilly

Former Director, Campaign for the Right to Repair, PIRG

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