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Our vision is that all Coloradans should have equal access to affordable, fast and reliable broadband service. We work to support all Coloradans in accessing the internet service they need.
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Low-Cost Internet Programs
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is Ending
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet. Due to a lack of ongoing funding, the ACP will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on Feb. 7, 2024.
What’s happening?
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, which means:
- ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.
- Households who have applied, been approved, and are receiving the monthly internet discount before February 8, 2024 will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled in the program.
- After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024), households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
How does wind-down impact enrolled ACP households?
- Households that are enrolled in ACP will continue to receive monthly discounted internet service through the end of the ACP.
- During the ACP wind-down period, ACP households will receive notices from their internet company about the impact of the end of the benefit on how the household’s bill and service. The notices will tell households:
- That the ACP is ending.
- The impact on their bill.
- The date of the last bill they will receive that includes the ACP benefit.
- That they may change their service or opt-out of continuing service after the end of the ACP.
- ACP households may also switch their internet plans without penalty.
What should ACP households do?
- Consistently check their emails for more information and for further updates regarding the ACP benefit. Also visit http://www.AffordableConnectivity.gov and www.fcc.gov/acp.
- Contact their internet company for questions about how the end of the ACP will affect their monthly bill and to ask about available options.
- Visit www.fcc.gov/acp to access answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other guidance about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP.
- Contact USAC directly for any other questions about the ACP wind-down. Households can call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 for information about their benefit.
The FCC fact sheet is available in Arabic, Chinese-Traditional, Chinese-Simplified, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Community Organizations
Are your constituents enrolled in ACP? Share these flyers (English and Spanish) to keep enrollees informed of the coming changes.
Lifeline Program
USAC's Lifeline Program is a federal program that offers a monthly benefit of up to $9.25 towards phone or internet services for eligible subscribers (up to $34.25 for those living on Tribal lands). A consumer can qualify for the Lifeline benefit if their income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, or if they participate in SNAP, Medicaid, or other federal programs.
Digital Resources Available in Colorado (English and Spanish)
Find broadband service
There are over 100 broadband service providers serving Colorado. Use the Colorado Broadband Map to locate service providers in your area. Contact the service providers directly to confirm their service offerings.
Visit the Colorado Broadband Map
If you find inaccurate data listed in the Colorado Broadband Map, such as speeds listed that are not available when you contact the company, use the Report Inaccurate Data form to let us know. We will use this information to investigate data discrepancies and work with the broadband providers to improve data accuracy.
- Does your internet service meet your needs?
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Do you experience delays?
Do you experience dropped or fuzzy videos?
Do you experience failed or downloads and uploads?If you answered yes to these questions, you may need to upgrade your service. Use this bandwidth calculator to estimate your household bandwidth needs. Keep in mind that upload speeds are important too, especially if you are using two-way video conferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
Tell us about your internet service
The Colorado Broadband Office has no authority to regulate broadband service and the Colorado Public Utility Commission's authority to require local phone companies to provide advanced telecommunications services or internet services is limited by statute, thus making these services, products, and providers exempt from regulation. This means there is no official complaint process for broadband services in Colorado.
Take the Broadband Survey and Speed Test
Take our Broadband Survey and Speed Test to report locations without internet or to submit speed test results to our database. The survey will ask for additional information including your location, service provider and service package. Data collected from this test will be anonymized and aggregated for public use.
Help improve broadband for your community
If you would like to improve broadband in your community, the first step is to learn about the state of broadband in your community and work to educate your neighbors and community.
Where to start:
- Take the Broadband Survey and encourage other community members to participate.
Why is this important?: The broadband survey informs the data on the Colorado Broadband Map, which is used to make decisions about state broadband grant funding. - Find out if there are existing efforts underway or grants awarded in the area. Reach out to your local governments, schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities to find out how they are addressing broadband access.
Why is this important?: There may be others in your community who are already working on broadband improvements. Building from existing efforts may be more efficient and effective.
Contact us if you need help getting started become an advocate for broadband in your community.