Community Broadband Needs Survey
As we prepare to deploy $500-900 million in broadband grant funding, the CBO recognizes that many communities across Colorado may not have the staff and/or resources necessary to develop and manage a broadband project or plan. To better understand the needs of communities looking to attract or improve broadband service, we have developed a Community Broadband Needs Survey. We welcome your feedback on topics such as grant writing, mapping, engineering, project management and more. This survey will close on Nov. 11. Fill out the Community Broadband Needs Survey
Broadband Roadmap Comment Form
On Oct. 11, the CBO released the Colorado Broadband Roadmap that lays out the state's five-year plan for investing millions of federal broadband funding to expand fast, reliable and affordable broadband access across Colorado. Learn more about the Roadmap. We encourage all stakeholders to provide feedback on the Roadmap. The comment period will close on Nov. 22. Provide public comment on the Roadmap
The CBO is enthusiastic about reaching our goal of connecting 99% of Colorado households to high-speed internet as we celebrate these recently announced federal funding awards to broadband projects our state:
USDA ReConnect Program
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Eastern Slope Rural Telephone Association (ESRTA) received $18.7 million for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) projects that will connect thousands of people, 898 farms, 110 businesses and 17 educational facilities to high-speed internet in Adams, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Crowley, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Washington counties. Read the press release.
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Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) received $13.9 million to deploy FTTP to rural parts of the Western Slope. This network will connect 3,577 people, 148 businesses, one school, and 765 farms to high-speed internet in the Colorado counties of Delta, Montrose and Gunnison. DMEA will make high-speed internet affordable through their participation in the FCC's Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline programs to provide low-cost internet to its service area. This project will also serve the socially vulnerable community of Delta County. Learn more here.
NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
- The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southern Colorado received more than $22.7 million to install two middle-mile routes across non-contiguous Tribal lands in two states and to also build last-mile FTTP infrastructure to connect 104 homes, businesses, and Tribal government locations in White Mesa, Utah, directly connecting approximately 817 unserved Native American households, 7 unserved Tribal businesses, and 36 unserved community anchor institutions. Read the press release.
The CBO is dedicated to engaging with community leaders and stakeholders across Colorado to learn more about local broadband needs. To request the attendance of a CBO staff member at your meeting or event, please email us at oit_broadband@state.co.us or visit our website to contact your region’s project manager.
 Senior IT Project Managers Michael Murphy and Haitham Ali traveled to Pueblo on Oct. 21 to meet with Council of Governments (COGs) leaders. They provided an overview of broadband in Colorado and shared details about CBO grant opportunities.
 On Oct. 27, Senior Manager of Broadband Programs Mark Colwell participated in a panel discussion titled “The Broadband Boom: Federal, State and Local Perspectives on NTIA’s Infrastructure Programs” at the annual INCOMPAS conference in Denver. Other panelists included NTIA Federal Program Officer Sarah Smith and state broadband leaders from Kansas and New York.
 ACP Presentation to CDHS, Delia Sanchez
CBO’s Community Engagement Specialist, Delia Sanchez has been busy promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to communities around Colorado:
- Oct. 12: featured on the Hispanic radio show Hablemos Hoy with Rodolfo Cardenas
- Oct. 19: provided a presentation to the Colorado Department of Humans Services (CDHS), on their weekly County call
- Oct. 24: provided a presentation to the Community Corrections Division of the Denver Department of Safety
Delia’s upcoming engagement events:
- Nov. 17: CBO staff members will be in Pueblo to talk about Broadband, Digital Literacy and the ACP program. The first session will be in English and the second one in Spanish. For more information, contact Delia Sánchez at Delia.sanchez@state.co.us
- Dec. 9: the CBO, in collaboration with OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) will host an ACP workshop to help the elderly community fill out ACP applications and answer questions they might have. The workshop will be at the OATS Lowry location, 7585 E Academy Blvd, Denver, CO 80230
The Broadband Data team is happy to announce that an updated Colorado Broadband Survey and Speed Test is now available to the public. The application was updated to provide a better user experience and to help our team gain a better understanding of user opinions on their broadband experience. The updated version provides the option for users to take a speed test OR to report lack of service at a location. The updated survey is now available in both English and Spanish, includes information about the ACP, and redirects users to our website upon completion.
Take the updated Colorado Broadband Survey and Speed Test
As we coordinate broadband efforts to create better access to high-speed internet, the CBO is excited to partner with the Office of Future of Work (OFOW) and the Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) who will lead activities related to digital literacy and inclusion.
In the near future, the OFOW will be hiring a Digital Navigator Program Coordinator, who, in collaboration with AmeriCorps, will deploy digital navigators across Colorado. These navigators will support people with few or no digital skills and will work from trusted community-based organization locations. SB22-140: Expansion of Experiential Learning Opportunities will fund the program.
This month, we will be re-launching what was formerly known as the Subcommittee on Digital Literacy and Inclusion as the “Digital Equity Committee”. This committee will provide a space for stakeholders – including individuals with lived experience – to share with one another and provide input on the State Digital Equity Plan. A state office/department team and a smaller advisory group will also convene soon. Stay tuned! To learn more about the Digital Equity Committee, including how to get involved, please fill out our Feedback and Interest Form.
To learn more about digital equity programs in Colorado, click here.
As of Nov. 7, 167,988 Colorado households have enrolled in the ACP, which provides a subsidy of $30 per month per household - $75 for eligible Tribal households - to help cover the cost of home broadband or mobile phone service. We’re happy to share that since the launch of the ACP in January 2022, Colorado households have received more than $19 million in support for broadband services from the ACP program.
The CBO strives to educate Coloradans on the benefits of this program, as we estimate that about one-third of all Colorado households are eligible for the ACP.
For more information on the program, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp
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Michael Murphy
Senior IT Project Manager
Colorado Broadband Office
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Tell us about your role at the CBO.
“I assist with the Broadband grant programs for the State of Colorado, as a Senior IT Project Manager by utilizing my industry and private sector skills to serve the communities of Colorado and to achieve digital equity. After 33 years operating in a for profit environment, I wanted a change. In my current role, I can realize my goal to give back to the communities where I live and serve.”
How did you get here?
“I have been with the CBO since August 2022. I was planning for my retirement and looking for ways to not only spend quality time with my family, but also for ideas on how to fulfill a desire to serve others. I contemplated working in one of the many National Parks and in my search for an opportunity at a park, I found the Senior IT Project Manager position with the CBO and knew immediately that I needed to apply. It was a perfect match between my experience and my desire to serve the communities.”
What do you like most about your job?
“This is a new and exciting world for me. I have the opportunity to learn a different aspect of public and private collaborations and be involved with the country's most significant opportunity to happen in my lifetime.”
How do you like to spend your time when you are not working?
“When I’m away from the CBO, I enjoy spending quality time and creating memorable moments with my family and friends. Either enjoying dinner, movies, sports or being in the wilderness admiring all that nature has to offer.”
What is the greatest bit of advice you have ever received?
“Growing up in a small town, my father was very active in the community and he once shared something that still resonates with me today: “If you approach everyone with equality and compassion, you will never meet a stranger and you will never be alone.”
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