Originally published June 12, 2023
The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) is traveling around the state to both host our Summer Roadshow and to participate in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) Summits held by the State of Colorado and there is still time to join us. We've added new dates listed below.
Multiple Carrier Neutral Locations (CNLs) across the state have been partially-funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). These sites, which are independent of any network provider, facilitate broadband deployment and create a redundant infrastructure.
View the status (complete, in progress, and future site) and approximate location of these CNLs on this list.
The day has finally come! After much anticipation, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced today the state allocations for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds. Colorado is set to receive $826,522,650.
As part of the Biden administration's "Internet for All" program, the money is earmarked to ensure the delivery of affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) opened our Advance Colorado Broadband - Capital Projects Fund grant program (Advance-CPF) on June 20.
Through Advance-CPF, Colorado has $162 million to award for broadband infrastructure projects that will deliver high-speed broadband to homes and businesses, primarily in rural areas, where the majority of Colorado's unserved population resides.
Applications are due by Aug. 21, 2023.
We are establishing an Advance Colorado Consult Group to solicit input from key stakeholders on Advance Colorado Broadband grant programs. Our ideal advisory group comprises of industry associations, local governments, Tribal territories, other State agencies, NTIA, broadband consumers and other key stakeholders. CBO will accept nominations until July 1, 2023.
Responsibilities
The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) is opening our Advance Colorado Broadband - Capital Projects Fund grant program (Advance-CPF) on June 20. To prepare, CBO and our vendor, Tilson, are hosting a webinar on Wednesday, June 14 at 1 p.m.
We encourage potential applicants for Advance-CPF to attend. Webinar topics include:
Help us to shape the state's Digital Equity Plan! Take the Digital Equity Ecosystem Map (DEEM) Survey!
Digital equity programs provide reliable internet, affordable devices and digital skills training to those most in need. We need your feedback to help close the digital divide in your community.
Your participation will help us uncover:
On May 1, the Governor signed SB23-183 (Local Government Provision of Communications Services) which eliminates a 2005 law that has jeopardized CBO's efforts to close the digital divide. This bill enables Colorado’s local governments to provide, or partner to provide, broadband internet service without having to pass voter referendums. SB23-183 is necessary to close existing gaps in the state as we work to reach our goal of connecting 99% of Colorado households to high-speed broadband by the end of 2027.
On Mar. 29, the CBO Data Team hosted the third webinar in our Broadband Data & Mapping Webinar series, focused on How to Use Our New Maps.
In February, the CBO launched the brand new Broadband Mapping Hub (Hub), an easy-to-use, complete resource to assist in broadband planning, finding partnerships and applying for broadband funding through the state. In this webinar we walked through the features and functionality of the Hub and the new maps and dashboards.
