Colorado has a bold goal of universal broadband. The federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program will invest $826.5 million into Colorado's broadband infrastructure and connect unserved and underserved homes and businesses. BEAD is part of the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed in Nov. 2021. 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 Grant Program
Program Guidelines and Workbook
The guidelines outline the process for selecting subgrantees for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funds through the Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program. Potential applicants should thoroughly review the guidelines and BEAD-eligible data and use other resources provided on this website before submitting applications.
Apply for BEAD!
The BEAD Application window is open Sept. 12 - Oct. 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Apply for all state and federal broadband funding opportunities in the portal.
Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Portal
Portal User Guide - email Advance_CBO@state.co.us for grant portal questions or issues.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions we receive from emails and stakeholder meetings are added to the FAQ document and updated on Fridays. Questions about the Advance-BEAD Grant Program? Email Advance_CBO@state.co.us.
Advance-BEAD Grant Program FAQ (Updated: Oct. 4, 2024)
BEAD-eligible Locations
The final BEAD-eligible location list was approved by NTIA on August 5, 2024. The list includes all Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) that are eligible for infrastructure projects funded by the BEAD program.
Project Area Map
The CBO published the final Project Area Map (PAM) on August 26, 2024. Visit the Advance-BEAD Mapping Portal for all BEAD data and mapping resources.
Office Hours Schedule - Register
- Monday, Sept. 9, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 16, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 30, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 14, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 21, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 28, 2:00 p.m.
Webinar Recordings
- CDOT Right of Way Webinar Recording: CDOT addresses the process and expectations for Right of Way (ROW) access to CDOT Middle-Mile networks. Took place Mon. Aug 26, 2:00 p.m.
- NFS Access Broadband Webinar: The USDA will address the process and expectations for Right of Way (ROW) access on National Forest Service (NFS) for stakeholders and potential BEAD applicants. Took place Tues. Sept. 10, 1:00 p.m.
- BEAD Grant Application Webinar One: This webinar covers the BEAD application, the Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Portal, where stakeholders can manage and track BEAD applications and review BEAD program mapping and data tools. Took place Tues. Sept. 10, 2:00 p.m.
- BEAD Grant Application Webinar Two: This webinar covers the BEAD application, the Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Portal, where stakeholders can manage and track BEAD applications and review BEAD program mapping and data tools. Took place Wed. Sept. 11, 12:00 p.m.
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 the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) BEAD Program: Colorado receives $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
