We’re sharing a glimpse behind the scenes of the "Broadband Stories" series of short videos that show the real-life impact of broadband in unique ways. These videos inspire Coloradans to see the effect of this historic broadband investment, even if their homes are not directly connected.
The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) is in the midst of investing nearly $1 billion in the state’s broadband network. Over the past three years, in collaboration with the CBO, OIT Communications has engaged with Coloradans to document how internet access, or lack thereof, influences their lives. There are many stories to tell.
When we find a good story, we pack up and head to wherever the story is happening to film and conduct interviews. We've met people all over the state who have told us how internet access, or lack thereof, has impacted their lives and ability to function in a modern society. To gather supplementary footage, known as B-roll, our videographer, Ziniu Chen, sometimes finds himself in unusual locations, such as standing in a cow pasture or riding a city bus. The resulting footage is then edited to produce concise and compelling videos.
Thank you to these Coloradans who have allowed us to tell their stories:
- A woman in Boulder County who sets aging adults up with internet access and teaches them how to use a computer to order groceries, medicine, or make a playlist to cook to.
- A rancher on the Eastern Plains who told us not only how the internet makes farming a ranching more efficient but also how people living on the rural plains need internet access to contact emergency responders or access healthcare.
- The people behind Montrose-based MayFly Outdoors are using cutting-edge robotics, powered by high-speed internet, to reel in a work-life balance as smooth as their high-end fly reels.
- The Elon Musk of the electric bike industry, who can build and sell e-bikes to customers worldwide because he has fast, reliable internet in the small town of Paonia.
- Members of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes warmly welcomed us to their lands in the southwest and showed us how internet connectivity supports their farms, schools and businesses and ultimately helps them bridge the digital divide.
- The mayor of Montrose, who prioritized making her city a GIG city, which means that gigabit speeds can be accessed from anywhere within the city limits.
- RTD security officials demonstrated how they leverage cell towers to improve public safety by implementing advanced security measures on buses and light rails.
Stories are shared at stakeholder meetings, with local community leaders and with others involved in Colorado’s broadband expansion. Shorter versions of the stories are shared on social media platforms to reach all Coloradans so they feel confident that the $1 billion investment is being used wisely and will improve their lives and communities.
Watch the Broadband Stories series on our YouTube Channel. If you have a story you'd like us to hear about, email Lauren.Francis@state.co.us.
