Colorado has a bold goal of universal broadband and because of the historic Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) investment, we are on our way toward achieving that goal. BEAD is part of the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed in Nov. 2021. Colorado will use BEAD funding to make a historic investment in the state’s broadband infrastructure and programs. BEAD will help us achieve Governor Polis’ goal to connect 99% of Colorado households and fund programs that address our state’s digital divide.
BEAD-Challenge Process
The Advance-BEAD Challenge Process is complete. Access the Advance-BEAD Challenge Portal for more information on the Rebuttal process and next steps.
Estimated Timeline
- Jan. - Feb. 2024: BEAD Challenge process
- May - June 2024: BEAD Challenge results available
- Summer 2024: Grant program guidelines and project area maps open for public comment
- Fall 2024: Grant application window opens for subgrantees
BEAD Proposals and Plans
Public Comment Summary
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. As part of our commitment to transparency, the CBO is releasing a summary of feedback received for both volumes.
Initial Proposal Volume 2
The Initial Proposal Volume 2 outlines Colorado's critical components of the BEAD grant program, including funding deployment, stakeholder engagement, workforce initiatives and more. We welcome comments on Volume 2 from Oct. 26 to Nov. 27, 2023. Feedback and new data will be incorporated into an updated version of Volume 2 prior to submitting the final version to the NTIA. To help navigate the proposal, we created an Initial Proposal v2 Summary
Initial Proposal Volume 1 - APPROVED
The Initial Proposal Volume 1 explains how Colorado will run its BEAD Challenge Process. Required for BEAD, the Challenge Process - an opportunity for providers, nonprofits and local governments to challenge unserved and underserved locations in Colorado - is scheduled for January 2024. Volume 1 also outlines existing broadband funding, establishes unserved and underserved locations on the Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Map and defines BEAD-eligible Community Anchor Institutions. Read the draft version.
Five-Year Action Plan - APPROVED
The Five-Year Action Plan establishes Colorado's broadband goals and priorities for the BEAD funding and serves as a comprehensive needs assessment that will inform Colorado’s Initial Proposal.
About Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) BEAD Program: Colorado is receiving $826.5 million, which the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) will deploy through the Advance Colorado Broadband grant program. BEAD will expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs across Colorado.
Questions? Email Advance_CBO@state.co.us
