|
Provided by Michael McReynolds, Legislative Liaison for OIT and CBO
The Colorado General Assembly is in session until May 12. It has been a busy session and broadband has been a topic in multiple bills.
On March 17, the Joint Technology Committee voted to introduce HB22-1306 (Broadband Deployment Board Grant Processes). The bill is supported by the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) and is guided by two principles:
- Ensure ARPA funds in HB21-1289 are awarded according to the federal rules and laws.
- Make statutory changes only to increase efficiencies. This is in line with expectations of the Governor's recent broadband Executive Order and aligns with considerations of the Broadband Deployment Board to speed up the process of obligating/disseminating awards.
Additionally, SB22-083 (Broadband Providers Use Of Public Rights-of-way) was passed by the General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor's signature. This bill codifies certain aspects of Executive Order D2022-009.
 |
|
Collin Schulte
GIS Technician, Broadband Data Program
Colorado Broadband Office
|
Tell us about your role at the CBO.
“I work as a broadband GIS Technician. I am processing data to ensure providers are meeting our data thresholds and to redistribute that information accurately to the public. This role was something I had been seeking for a while where I could engage more directly with the public. I’m very excited about this new opportunity and supporting this wonderful state.”
How did you get here?
“I started with CBO at the end of January. I came from the private sector producing FEMA maps and working as a Program Delivery Manager for disaster recovery. After which I had a brief stint updating geodatabases for a broadband company before beginning my career with CBO!”
What do you like most about your job?
“I am very thrilled at the prospect of publishing our team’s work publicly to assist people and help them directly engage with our state.”
Where’s your favorite place in the world?
“There is a beachfront on the north side of Grand Cayman called Old Man Bay. Shore diving from there was absolutely astounding.”
As discussed in the March 15 Broadband Advisory Board (BAB) meeting, there is a desire from the Board and stakeholders to have more focused meetings on specific topics. As a result, the CBO has created a survey to better understand levels of participation, desired topics and days/times that work best for gathering. Please fill out the form below to provide input and to participate in these working groups. The form will close at the end of April.
The CBO has posted a Request For Proposals (RFP) for Grant Services Program consulting and development for the Colorado Broadband Office Capital Project Funds (CPF) Grant Program. The RFP was published April 1 and closes May 2 at 2 p.m. MDT.
Interested parties, please respond to RFP 2022000337 at https://www.colorado.gov/vss. If this is the first time you have explored partnering with us as a vendor, here's some information that will help you get started.
On Saturday, March 26, First Lady Jill Biden was welcomed to Colorado for the White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit at the Community College of Denver. The Summit, hosted by the National Technology and Information Administration (NTIA), included a panel discussion on broadband deployment and workforce development for the Latino population of Colorado. Of special focus was broadband access, affordability and deployment with the use and support of federal dollars from 2021’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Speakers included CBO’s Executive Director Brandy Reitter, Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone, Mayor Michael Hancock of Denver and a number of representatives from Colorado’s Latino population. The panel discussed the importance of trust and working locally for the adoption of broadband to encourage digital literacy, equity and inclusion.
 Jenn Price - Comcast, Brandy Reitter - CBO, Sarah Smith - CBO, Representative Brianna Titone, Kara Van Stralen - Governor’s Office
|
