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.
Advance-BEAD Public Comment
Critical components of the Advance-BEAD Grant Program are now available for public comment: the Advance-BEAD Draft Project Area Map, the Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Program Guidelines and Draft Grant Agreement. The public comment window runs from July 12 - Aug. 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. M.T.
Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Program Guidelines
Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Agreement
Questions about the Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Program Guidelines and Draft Grant Agreement?
The July Advance Colorado Broadband Roundtable calls are the best platform to ask CBO questions about the Draft Advance-BEAD Grant Program Guidelines and Grant Agreement.
Attend the Advance Industry Roundtable on July 16, 9:30 a.m.
Attend the Advance Community Roundtable on July 18, 12:00 p.m.
Advance-BEAD Draft Project Area Map
Advance-BEAD Project Area Map and public comment survey are in the Advance-BEAD Challenge Portal.
Access the Advance-BEAD Draft Project Area Map
Questions about the Draft Project Area Map?
For inquiries about the Draft Project Area Map, the CBO Data Team will host an office hour session on July 23 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Data Team can answer questions related to the Draft Project Area Map and assist in how to use the portal to review and submit comments. We will not accept official public comments during this office hour session but rather use the hour to allow stakeholders to ask questions.
Attend the Advance-BEAD Project Area Map Office Hour on July 23
Estimated Timeline
- Jan. - Feb. 2024: BEAD Challenge process
- March - May 2024: Challenge process remediation and final results submitted to the NTIA
- May - July 2024: Planning Phase: Grant program and compliance guidelines
- July 12, 2024: Draft Project Area Maps and Advance-BEAD Draft Grant Program Guidelines open for public comment
- July 16, 2024: Advance Industry Roundtable will cover the public comment period
- July 18, 2024: Advance Community Roundtable will cover the public comment
- July 23, 2024: Advance-BEAD Project Area Map Office Hour
- Aug.- Oct. 2024: CBO support to prepare applicants, application window opens
- Oct. - Nov. 2024: Applications and coverage areas posted on the CBO website
BEAD Proposals and Plans
Initial Proposal Volume 2 - APPROVED
The Initial Proposal Volume 2 outlines Colorado's critical components of the BEAD grant program, including funding deployment, stakeholder engagement, workforce initiatives and more. Volume 1 & 2 together are Colorado's strategy to invest $826.5 million from BEAD funding to connect 99% of Colorado households by end of 2027. Approval means the CBO can take the next steps to deploy BEAD funding and release eligible locations, grant program guidelines and select subgrantees.
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.
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.
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
