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.
On Feb. 22, Lt. Governor Primavera announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a long-term benefit to help eligible households pay for high-speed internet, with support from EducationSuperHighway. Seventy one (71) partner cities, community-based organizations and trusted institutions around Colorado were invited to participate in the initiative.
We are very excited to launch the Colorado Broadband Office Mapping Hub (Hub)! The Hub is now available at broadbandhub.colorado.gov and is an easy-to-use resource for the public, internet service providers (ISPs), schools, communities and businesses around Colorado for their broadband education and planning purposes.
