On Friday, Feb. 16, the Broadband Fund published the applications submitted for the 2024 grant cycle. There were 18 applications requesting $32,702,812.70 to provide broadband-level internet access to 6,583 locations.
As if the ACP running out of funding isn’t bad enough news, our office has learned of scammers misusing the ACP and targeting low-income households with deceptive tactics.
As a reminder, without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024. As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, and is ceasing enrollment this Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The CBO updated the availability data in the Colorado Broadband Map and Grant Discovery Portal on Jan. 26. The availability data is based on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Data Collection (BDC) current as of June 30, 2023, released by FCC Nov. 14, 2023.
The Advance-BEAD Challenge window closes at 11:59 p.m. MT on Friday, Feb. 9. Registered users must submit challenges by the deadline.
Not registered yet?
The deadline for ISPs, nonprofits, and local or Tribal governments to register for access to the Challenge Portal is this Wednesday, Feb. 7. If the CBO cannot verify your CostQuest License at that time, we will be unable to create an account in time for you to participate in the process.
Remember, this is the last chance we have to ensure the accuracy of our broadband map before BEAD is underway.
As part of the BEAD process the CBO requested public comment on both Initial Proposal Volume 1 and Initial Proposal Volume 2 before submission to the NTIA. The public comment period was held to promote transparency and gather feedback from all of CBO’s stakeholders.
The Colorado Broadband Office released the following statement in regards to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) announcement that without additional funding from Congress, the allotted $14.2 billion to fund the ACP is projected to run out in April 2024 (this date is an estimate and may change). As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, and is ceasing enrollment on Feb. 7, 2024.
Colorado recently received approval from the NTIA for Initial Proposal Volume 1, which means we can move forward with the challenge process. The challenge process allows ISPs, nonprofits, and local and Tribal governments to challenge the accuracy of BEAD-eligible locations.
The process begins this coming Monday, Jan. 8 with the publication of eligible locations. We will then start accepting challenges on Wednesday Jan. 10.
Governor Polis and the Colorado Broadband Office today announced the first of multiple investments using stimulus funding from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF) program.
The Polis administration will use $113 million from CPF to make major, long-term improvements, including expanding the state’s broadband infrastructure and connecting Colorado homes without internet access.
Volume 1 of CBO's Initial Proposal for BEAD was approved today by the NTIA.
Required for BEAD, this volume includes an overview of existing broadband funding and defines BEAD-eligible Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). It also outlines how Colorado will run its state Challenge Process for BEAD, which builds on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map.
The Digital Equity team is supporting public comments listening sessions on the draft Digital Access Plan in multiple locations across the state.