By Dylan Weaver

After a difficult season that led the Avs into the playoffs again, it was a physical seven-game series with the Seattle Kraken that proved too much as Colorado ended its year in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

The defending Stanley Cup champions came into the playoffs as one of the two #1 seeds from the west region ending the year on a hot streak. The Seattle Kraken carved a different path and snuck into the playoffs instead by grabbing one of the Wildcard spots. Both teams may have had different journeys, but once into the playoffs, the higher-seeded team is only sometimes the one who gets to move on, as anything can happen.

What may prove to be an even crazier fact is that the 2022–2023 season was only the second year that the Kraken had become a team to compete within the National Hockey League. In doing so, they took down the reigning Stanley Cup champions in their first playoff chance. They are now the first expansion team to knock out the reigning champs the following year.

The Avs-Kraken series was one of three series in the Stanley Cup playoffs that went to seven games, and on the other side of the bracket, fellow one-seed in the Boston Bruins were also upset as they fell to the Florida Panthers. This upset was primarily a shock in the NHL world because of its significance after the Bruins set the single-season win record in NHL history with 65 wins.

The Avs’ seven-game series can be written similarly to the Bruins, as there were many ups and downs.

Within this series, a team was never up to more than one game. The series started going 1-0 in the Kraken’s favor before the Avs won two consecutive games to go up 2-1. The Kraken then responded by winning two more games to go up 3-2 before the Avs would win game six to force a decisive game seven back in Colorado. In a long game seven, where it looked that the Avs had all the momentum to advance through the playoffs, the Kraken took advantage of multiple Colorado miscues and used a lucky shot to defeat the Avs 2-1 narrowly.

In the series, the leader in points for the Avs came from Mikko Rantanen, who garnered 10 points throughout the seven games while leading the team with seven goals. Devon Toews followed him up with nine points, and then Nathan MacKinnon with seven.

While the Avs have the makeup of all-star players and one of the highest-rated offenses in the league, the common denominator this season would be the plague of injuries that occurred. The most notable player missing from the squad was the left winger and one of the captains of the team Gabriel Landeskog, who suffered a knee injury and required surgery leading to him missing the entire 2023 season and into the playoffs. Other players to miss time for the Avs were Valeri Nichushkin being absent for the playoffs after game two, with Josh Manson, Darren Helm, and Andrew Cogliano being out for game seven after injuries sustained in the series.

Winning back-to-back titles is no easy feat in hockey, especially regarding the oldest surviving trophy in North American professional sports. Rarely have teams gone back-to-back to win the Stanley Cup, but in this year of playoffs, a disappointing end to the season was the result for the Avs and much of Colorado as well.

While an early exit may have been the outcome, the future still is bright, and looking ahead, the Avs are a force to be reckoned with in the NHL for years to come.

The post Avs Season Concluded in Seven Game Series first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Cidonia Ponce

Pueblo helped bring awareness to the community about youth violence. Many organizations and nonprofits came together for the last week of April to help recognize youth and discuss the resources available for youth.

National Youth Violence Protection Week (NYVPW) was founded in 2001 by the Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club. This week challenges individuals to partake in a non-violence initiative to help create healthy, positive role models while promoting safer schools and communities. 

Pueblo’s Rocky Mountain Service Employment and Redevelopment (RMSER) Empowerment Center celebrated youth through their “Dia De Los Niños Children’s Day” event on Saturday, April 29. This event allowed kids to engage in productive and informational activities surrounding youth. RMSER provided entertainment through music, dancing, face paintings, food, and resourceful vendors.

Brandi Adakai is the Community Center Director at RMSER and has been very involved in the Pueblo community by providing the needed resources. “We want to bring awareness to children and those who experience child abuse,” Adakai stated. Many organizations from the city and local community members came together to celebrate children in the gymnasium at RMSER on 330 Lake Avenue. 

Many of these organizations that came to this event were dance performer groups, including Jeannie’s Academy of Dance, Haven’s School of Dance, Grupo Folklorico, and a mariachi singer Velma Segura has been participating in events with RMSER for the past year. More organizations included the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Pueblo Rocks, Center for Health Project, and Protectors of Abused Children (PAC). EPIC of Pueblo also provided complimentary books to the youth, while RMSER offered free children’s clothing and adult and maternity clothes for women. 

Not only were these resources offered at the RMSER Dia De Los Niños event, but there was also a space that offered nutritious but delicious food. “The food was locally sourced, we used Rodeo’s meat market as well as Double J’s meat market for our chorizo and carne asada,” Adakai mentioned. RMSER’s new mission is food access for all, meaning there is a need and advantage to having access to local food. “It is so important that we introduce healthy food to our community members, and they need to be able to have access to that food at a low cost,” Adakai stated. 

The YMCA of Pueblo also hosted an event tailored to the youth called “Healthy Kids Day.” This event was free to the public and provided a variety of family-friendly activities, including sports games, face painting, obstacle courses, a bounce house, and much more. The YMCA also had many other local organizations, including Smile Doctors Orthodontics, Pueblo Parks and Recreation, Health Solutions, and the Pueblo City-County Library District. 

Karen Foglesong is the Program and Outreach Specialist at the Lamb Library here in town and spoke on what she believes the Pueblo youth can take away from events like Healthy Kids Day. “We hope that this engages the Pueblo youth in something that is constructive for their growth and their benefit,” Folgesong commented.

Kevin Cano is an alumnus of CSU Pueblo and the current Director of Marketing and Digital Media for the YMCA of Pueblo. Cano was one of the hosts for this event and commented on the perks of having events like this in the community. “It’s really great to have these free events for families in the community because anyone and everyone can come and check out the YMCA and see all the events and resources that we have to offer,” Cano mentioned.

While considering the youth when it comes to youth awareness week, Cano talked about the importance of acknowledging and engaging with our youth. “It’s very important that youth know that pro-social locations exist in the community so they can learn positive habits at a early age,” Cano stated. 

Cano also mentioned that because children are most likely to develop habits and behavioral traits early, youth should engage in healthier habits now to carry them on throughout their lives. “The YMCA fits into this because we want to make sure that this is a safe haven for all to feel welcome to develop their spirit, mind, and body,” Cano commented. 

For more information about the YMCA, events, and other resources, visit puebloymca.org. 

The post Pueblo Recognizes Youth for Youth Violence Awareness Week first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Morgan Borrego

I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash. 

Nash wrote and released this song in 1972, becoming his biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The lyrics talk about a positive change in someone’s life, the singer expresses that he can see clearly now, and the rain is gone. A metaphor for the difficulties and struggles he has faced in life, and now that the rain is gone, he feels a sense of clarity and optimism for the future. 

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra 

Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) released Mr. Blue Sky in 1978 as part of their “Out of the Blue” album. It became one of their most popular and recognizable songs. Written by Jeff Lynne, the band’s frontman, the song discusses a sunny and beautiful day where the singer expresses happiness and excitement about what he sees in the world around him. The title references a blue sky that appears after a storm, and the lyrics reference the sun shining down and the birds singing in the trees.

A Beautiful Morning by The Rascals

Written by the band’s members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and released in 1968, this song became one of their biggest hits, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. “A Beautiful Morning” is a prime example of The Rascal’s soulful style of music.

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles

One of George Harrison’s most famous compositions, “Here Comes the Sun,” was included on the 1969 Beatles album, Here Comes the Sun. The song has a gentle acoustic melody and optimistic lyrics that perfectly capture the feeling of hope and renewal that comes with the arrival of Spring. 

Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae

Released in 2006 as the lead single from her self-titled debut album, this song was co-written by Bailey Rae, Steve Chrisanthou, and John Beck, and it quickly became a hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries. The song’s catchy melody and upbeat lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their individuality and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Butterflies by Casey Musgraves

“Butterflies,” the lead single from her album “Golden Hour,” released in 2018, is full of dreamy melody and heartfelt lyrics that describe the feeling of falling in love and experiencing the excitement and uncertainty of a new relationship. 

 What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

The classic song by jazz musician Louis Armstrong, released in 1967, wasn’t written by him but quickly became a big hit. The song has a joyful melody that feels optimistic about our world. The song has a simple, timeless message resonating with generations, making it a beloved classic. 

Blackbird by The Beatles

Written and performed by Paul McCartney, “Blackbird” was released as part of “The White Album” in 1968. The song is written from the perspective of a blackbird encouraging another bird to fly despite obstacles. Lyrics are said to be inspired by the Civil Rights Movement at the time. The piece carries a message of hope and perseverance, making it a favorite among Beatles fans.

The post 8 Songs to Get You into the Spring Mood first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Holly Ward

The 23rd Annual Etiquette Dinner saw over 60 students and over ten community members in the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom Tuesday night, April 18.  

Annelise Vandiver is a senior at CSU Pueblo and a Peer Mentor for the Career Center. She was the coordinator for the event and was responsible for marketing, picking out the food and colors, communicating with leaders around the community, and encouraging students’ attendance.

“The Etiquette Dinner’s mission is to educate students on proper etiquette, prepare students for success in the professional world, and increase students’ awareness of the appropriate dress for interviews and other professional occasions,” Vandiver said.

The annual event is free for all students to attend. Students had to sign up for the event in advance so the food could be prepared. Students were able to submit any food allergies. When students arrived the night of the event, they received a nametag with their names and table number. Some students received mini cards to identify their allergies, so servers knew to give them alternate dishes.

Each table had a table leader, a member of the community, allowing students to practice networking in a professional setting.

“The Etiquette Dinner is a great place to practice networking with other professionals. It also allows you to meet and ask questions to professionals in your area of study, teach you proper dining etiquette, and increase your success in the workplace,” Vandiver said.

The main presenter of the evening was Jerry Carter, the catering director at CSU Pueblo. The primary vendor of the evening was Aladdin Campus Dining.

Carter opened the evening by teaching the participants how to arrange the table appropriately. Students learned to identify different pieces of silverware and which side of the plate they should sit on. They also learned etiquette tips such as placing butter on the bread plate and individually buttering small pieces of the bread as they eat instead of buttering an entire roll first. 

Students received cheat cards with a mini diagram of a proper table setting labeled silverware, dishes, and glasses. The back of the card included lists of foods under different categories: finger foods, fork foods, spoon foods, and foods to avoid. 

They also received a paper titled “Tips for the Evening.” These tips included “look into, not over, your cup or glass when speaking” and “do not gesture with utensils in your hands.”

Once set, the first course, French onion soup, was brought to the tables, a purposefully challenging meal to teach proper etiquette. Students learned how to approach the cheesy soup and that they could flip their spoons over once finished with their bowls. The spoons flipped over signaled to servers that the attendees had finished eating and would be able to take their plates. 

The other courses on the menu included a salad “with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, goat cheese, and sherry shallot dressing.” The entrée of the evening was chicken chasseur “airline style, accompanied with bacon and garlic roasted Brussels sprouts, parmesan, and rosemary scalloped potatoes.”

“The staff were great at accommodating for my dietary needs throughout the evening, as I have a nut allergy. The best part was definitely the French onion soup, though,” said Alex Sedelmyer, a first-year student. He attended the dinner per encouragement with his involvement in the President’s Leadership Program.

The evening ended with dessert with a serving of tiramisu. This event has occurred since 1998, and according to Vandiver, the Hasan School of Business hosted the dinner. “Michelle Gjerde, the former Career Center director, proposed in 2003 that the Career Center take the event over, and it has been going on ever since.”

The post 2023 Etiquette Dinner first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By: Bradley Teter

The Blue Beetle is a beloved superhero and a popular character in the DC Comics universe. Since the announcement of the movie adaptation, fans have been eagerly waiting for more information on what to expect from this new hero in his standalone film. Here is what we know so far about the upcoming Blue Beetle movie.

Who is the blue beetle? 

The Blue Beetle is a beloved superhero and a popular character in the DC Comics universe. Since the announcement of the movie adaptation, fans have been eagerly waiting for more information on what to expect from this new hero in his standalone film. Here is what we know so far about the upcoming Blue Beetle movie.

Casting is one of the most exciting parts of any movie production, and the Blue Beetle movie has already announced some talented actors to play its key roles. Newcomer Xolo Maridueña will play Jaime Reyes, known for his work in Cobra Kai. The movie will star Mexican actress Adriana Barraza as Jaime’s grandmother, and Angel Manuel Soto will direct the flick.

The Blue Beetle movie is still in pre-production, so we don’t have an official release date yet. However, we know the film will be released exclusively on HBO Max, the streaming service that Warner Bros. launched in 2020. Many DC movies are available on the platform, including Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Wonder Woman 1984.

In conclusion, the Blue Beetle movie adaptation is an exciting addition to the DC universe. With a talented cast, an action-packed plot, and a relatable hero, this new movie will surely appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Jaime Reyes and how he will take on the mantle of the Blue Beetle in this upcoming film.

The post DCs’ The Blue Beetle first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Camerron Martin

President Joe Biden’s administration has released a statement announcing that he will be running for reelection during the 2024 Presidential Election. Through a short three-minute video released, President Biden gave his statement about his reelection run will be happening along with what he has in mind for the future of our country.

President Biden’s announcement video depicted scenes from troubled times in the United States’ recent history, such as protests over abortion and marriage rights, as well as the events that took place in the nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021. The video’s imagery also showed and called out a handful of Republican figures, such as Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump. President Biden stated in his announcement, “MAGA extremists are lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms.” 

The freedoms in question apply to every United States citizen, granting them equal liberties. In the following weeks, President Biden plans to set up meetings with advisors and donors to aid him in his 2024 campaign, a similar method he had used during his run for the presidency in 2020.

Throughout the video, President Biden reinstated many similar themes he had initially stated during his first election run. 

“When I ran for President four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are. The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer,” said President Biden. 

He clarifies what he wants to achieve for our country in his possible future presidency. However, other candidates have already announced their plans for running in the 2024 election, such as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Former President Donald Trump had also announced that he would be running in the election. However, his recent indictment leaves it unclear whether this will happen.  

With President Biden’s announcement came many concerns regarding his ability to secure another full presidential term successfully. As of now, President Biden is the oldest presidential candidate to win an election at eighty, making him eighty-two years old at the start of the next election. Should he win his reelection and serve the full four terms, he will be eight-six, which has led to many of those around him within his administration as well as those who support him concerned that his age could become a problem for him as well as his chances to act as president in the future. 

The future of our government as well as our country is currently sitting at an uneasy point, with tensions between Republicans and Democrats growing more and more as the big election season draws closer. With the 2024 elections coming up and President Biden’s Announcement for a reelection run, the idea that his administration stole the 2020 election is once again fresher in people’s minds, as it is likely we may see new regulations put into place to monitor the election as Republicans will use the idea as an argument against President Biden. Should his health remain in shape enough to support another term as President?

The post Biden announces bid for presidential re-election first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Camerron Martin

President Joe Biden’s administration has released a statement announcing that he will be running for reelection during the 2024 Presidential Election. Through a short three-minute video released, President Biden gave his statement about his reelection run will be happening along with what he has in mind for the future of our country.

President Biden’s announcement video depicted scenes from troubled times in the United States’ recent history, such as protests over abortion and marriage rights, as well as the events that took place in the nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021. The video’s imagery also showed and called out a handful of Republican figures, such as Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump. President Biden stated in his announcement, “MAGA extremists are lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms.” 

The freedoms in question apply to every United States citizen, granting them equal liberties. In the following weeks, President Biden plans to set up meetings with advisors and donors to aid him in his 2024 campaign, a similar method he had used during his run for the presidency in 2020.

Throughout the video, President Biden reinstated many similar themes he had initially stated during his first election run. 

“When I ran for President four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are. The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer,” said President Biden. 

He clarifies what he wants to achieve for our country in his possible future presidency. However, other candidates have already announced their plans for running in the 2024 election, such as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Former President Donald Trump had also announced that he would be running in the election. However, his recent indictment leaves it unclear whether this will happen.  

With President Biden’s announcement came many concerns regarding his ability to secure another full presidential term successfully. As of now, President Biden is the oldest presidential candidate to win an election at eighty, making him eighty-two years old at the start of the next election. Should he win his reelection and serve the full four terms, he will be eight-six, which has led to many of those around him within his administration as well as those who support him concerned that his age could become a problem for him as well as his chances to act as president in the future. 

The future of our government as well as our country is currently sitting at an uneasy point, with tensions between Republicans and Democrats growing more and more as the big election season draws closer. With the 2024 elections coming up and President Biden’s Announcement for a reelection run, the idea that his administration stole the 2020 election is once again fresher in people’s minds, as it is likely we may see new regulations put into place to monitor the election as Republicans will use the idea as an argument against President Biden. Should his health remain in shape enough to support another term as President?

The post Biden announces bid for presidential re-election first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Madison Lira

Colorado’s governor Jared Polis signed into law on April 14 that a healthcare professional who performs a medication abortion reversal on a patient would be subject to discipline unless medical licensing boards deem it an acceptable standard of practice. The professionals could potentially lose their licenses if charged. Additionally, two bills were signed that further showcase Colo. as a refuge state for trans individuals and those seeking abortions, enshrining almost unfettered abortion access and shielding those who receive, provide, or assist those seeking gender-affirming care within the state. 

However, the ban against medication abortion reversals has proven to be the most controversial. So much so that Bella Health and Wellness, a Catholic-based medical clinic that actively provides these medical abortion reversals, filed a lawsuit soon after Governor Polis signed the bill. The group, in their lawsuit, argues that this new legislation targets their first amendment rights of free speech and equal protection rights, citing that it violates their and other clinics’ religious rights. The group sought out their lawyers from the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, a D.C.-based nonprofit law firm. 

Following the lawsuit, a Trump-appointed federal judge exempted the group from the law until April 28. The exemption was only granted to Bella Health and Wellness’s three locations (Englewood, Denver, and Lafayette). U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Domenico lifted the order after Colo. promised not to start enforcing the bill until Sept. or Oct., when the state’s three medical boards weigh in on if the abortion pill reversal is an acceptable standard of practice. 

“This decision is based on the defendants’ having made it clear to the Court that the plaintiff’s current and planned activities do not subject them to the threat of enforcement in the imminent future,” Domenico wrote, according to The Colorado Sun. 

But what is the medication abortion reversal that these clinics are fighting to keep within their practices? When a pregnant person uses medications to end the pregnancy, the patient will use mifepristone (first) and misoprostol (second) as a safe and effective way to have an abortion. Those medications stop the pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone and forcing the uterus to contract to complete the abortion. However, these clinics above claim that if the hormone progesterone is given in enough doses, the hormone can thicken the uterine lining enough to “reverse” the effects of mifepristone. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated that these so-called abortion “reversal” procedures are unproven and unethical by their standards. 

“A 2012 case series reported on six women who took mifepristone and were then administered varying progesterone doses. Four continued their pregnancies. This is not scientific evidence that progesterone resulted in the continuation of those pregnancies.” (ACOG). 

Many of these clinics use this study to show that the “reversal” works were not supervised by an Institutional Review Board or an ethical review committee required to protect human research subjects. Due to this, critics argue that the clinic’s marketing methods, stating that they provide abortion “reversals,” intentionally deceive patients into not terminating their pregnancies. 

Colorado is the first across the nation to try to ban the abortion pill reversal method, and as of now, until later this year, the state will not be enforcing the law. The lawsuit will still be litigated, and it could take months or even years until it’s resolved. 

The post Colorado’s controversial abortion reversal ban first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Madison Lira

Colorado’s governor Jared Polis signed into law on April 14 that a healthcare professional who performs a medication abortion reversal on a patient would be subject to discipline unless medical licensing boards deem it an acceptable standard of practice. The professionals could potentially lose their licenses if charged. Additionally, two bills were signed that further showcase Colo. as a refuge state for trans individuals and those seeking abortions, enshrining almost unfettered abortion access and shielding those who receive, provide, or assist those seeking gender-affirming care within the state. 

However, the ban against medication abortion reversals has proven to be the most controversial. So much so that Bella Health and Wellness, a Catholic-based medical clinic that actively provides these medical abortion reversals, filed a lawsuit soon after Governor Polis signed the bill. The group, in their lawsuit, argues that this new legislation targets their first amendment rights of free speech and equal protection rights, citing that it violates their and other clinics’ religious rights. The group sought out their lawyers from the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, a D.C.-based nonprofit law firm. 

Following the lawsuit, a Trump-appointed federal judge exempted the group from the law until April 28. The exemption was only granted to Bella Health and Wellness’s three locations (Englewood, Denver, and Lafayette). U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Domenico lifted the order after Colo. promised not to start enforcing the bill until Sept. or Oct., when the state’s three medical boards weigh in on if the abortion pill reversal is an acceptable standard of practice. 

“This decision is based on the defendants’ having made it clear to the Court that the plaintiff’s current and planned activities do not subject them to the threat of enforcement in the imminent future,” Domenico wrote, according to The Colorado Sun. 

But what is the medication abortion reversal that these clinics are fighting to keep within their practices? When a pregnant person uses medications to end the pregnancy, the patient will use mifepristone (first) and misoprostol (second) as a safe and effective way to have an abortion. Those medications stop the pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone and forcing the uterus to contract to complete the abortion. However, these clinics above claim that if the hormone progesterone is given in enough doses, the hormone can thicken the uterine lining enough to “reverse” the effects of mifepristone. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated that these so-called abortion “reversal” procedures are unproven and unethical by their standards. 

“A 2012 case series reported on six women who took mifepristone and were then administered varying progesterone doses. Four continued their pregnancies. This is not scientific evidence that progesterone resulted in the continuation of those pregnancies.” (ACOG). 

Many of these clinics use this study to show that the “reversal” works were not supervised by an Institutional Review Board or an ethical review committee required to protect human research subjects. Due to this, critics argue that the clinic’s marketing methods, stating that they provide abortion “reversals,” intentionally deceive patients into not terminating their pregnancies. 

Colorado is the first across the nation to try to ban the abortion pill reversal method, and as of now, until later this year, the state will not be enforcing the law. The lawsuit will still be litigated, and it could take months or even years until it’s resolved. 

The post Colorado’s controversial abortion reversal ban first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Julian Volk

On April 25, 2023, Colorado became the first state to ensure farmers could fix their own equipment with the right-to-repair law, also known as The Consumer Right to Repair Agriculture Equipment Act. 

The right-to-repair law forces manufacturers, like John Deer, Massey Ferguson, etc., to provide the necessary manuals, tools, parts, and software to be able to repair machinery from their company. 

Before the passing of this bill, it was illegal for farmers to repair their equipment. To be able to repair farming/ranching equipment, you had to be a certified service technician licensed by the manufacturer of the equipment. This has created issues for Colorado farmers looking to fix their own equipment. It also creates a monopoly for these manufacturers in the repair process, allowing them to charge above-market rates for repairs.

In January, John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Federation, an agricultural lobbying group, agreed to ensure farmers retain the right to repair their own equipment. However, the agreement also requires the American Farmers Bureau Federation to “refrain from introducing, promoting, or supporting federal or state right to repair legislation.” It states that either party can exit the agreement if any right-to-repair legislation passes.

The new right-to-repair law allows Colorado farmers and ranchers to repair their own equipment without having to take it to a manufacturer-licensed technician, meaning farmers and ranchers will save hundreds and even thousands of dollars on repairs. It should also drive down the prices set by these manufacturers for repairs.

“This bill will save farmers and ranchers time and money and support the free market,” Polis said after signing the bill. 

This new law is an addition to the already existing right-to-repair law in Colorado that protects Coloradoans’ rights to repair wheelchairs, phones, etc., on their own without having to interact with licensed technicians. 

“This is a common-sense, bipartisan bill to help people avoid unnecessary delays from equipment repairs,” Governor Polis says in a statement. “Farmers and ranchers can lose precious weeks and months when equipment repairs are stalled due to long turnaround times by manufacturers and dealers. This bill will change that.”

Under Colorado law, it states that it is a deceptive trade practice if equipment manufacturers fail to follow it. It adds that any contractual provision the manufacturer enters with a customer or independent repair shop to “remove or limit the manufacturer’s obligation to provide resources” cannot be enforced. It has also been written that no independent repair shops/ owners of equipment can modify any equipment in ways deemed unsafe or that would violate current copyright laws in Colorado.

“This is a huge win for farmers and ranchers in Colorado and across the country,” National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew said. “NFU has been pushing on Right to Repair issues for years, and seeing a bill like this cross the finish line is a testament to the persistence of our members and the need for this issue to be addressed nationally.”

Many states look to follow Colorado in introducing this new law for agricultural purposes. Texas, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, and Vermont have all introduced legislation that could pass in the coming weeks protecting farmers’ and ranchers’ right to repair.

The post Fix it yourself, new agricultural law in effect first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.