Representative Brianna Titone was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Rocky Mountain Farmer’s Union earlier this month. She was recognized for her work in securing the first right to repair agricultural equipment law in the country.
Titone (D-Arvada) made history as the first openly transgender state legislator in Colorado. She described this title as “an incredible honor” and says, “At its core, right to repair empowers people to fix their own equipment, saving them time, money, and resources along the way. Thanks to legislation we passed last year, Colorado’s farmers and ranchers have the freedom to fix their own equipment and save thousands of dollars on costly repairs. This right to repair agricultural equipment law is a huge step forward in my ongoing legislative efforts to equip Coloradans with the tools to fix their own stuff when it breaks.”
The law in question is HB23-1011, which enforces existing consumer right to repair laws. It requires that agricultural equipment manufacturers provide necessary parts, software, and instructions to independent repair shops and owners at a reasonable price. Colorado is the first, and only state in the nation to legally enforce farmers’ right to repair, with Titone leading the push to pass HB23-1011. The bill was supported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Rocky Mountain Farmer’s Union, the Corn Growers, Wheat Growers, Wool Producers, Fruit and Vegetable Producers, the Cattleman, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
In 2022, Titone also spearheaded two groundbreaking right to repair laws for wheelchair users requiring manufacturers to reasonably provide parts and software to consumers eliminating the need for prior authorization on repairs done for Medicaid recipients. She also was largely responsible for banning the “Gay or Trans Panic Defense” in 2020 when in most states it was a valid legal argument. Titone recently began pursuing her work on regulating the use of AI software in Colorado elections.
