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Technical Assistance Program
The CBO understands that many unserved and underserved communities in our state who are eligible for federal funding may not have the resources necessary to prepare, plan, apply for and administer a federal grant. In order to create a more equitable opportunity for all communities to participate in these grant programs, we have created the Technical Assistance Program, which will allow eligible entities to qualify for access to services necessary to pursue these once-in-a-generation grant opportunities. We will review applications for the Technical Assistance Program and select awardees based on financial need.
Entities eligible for the Technical Assistance Program include:
- Municipalities
- Counties
- School Districts
- Special Districts
- Councils of Government
- Economic Development Districts
Services available under the Technical Assistance Program include:
- Development of a broadband strategic plan
- Broadband feasibility study
- Broadband preliminary network design
- Project cost estimation
- Grant preparation
- Mapping capacity and data collection services
Applications for the Technical Assistance Program close on May 1, 2023. Additional rounds of funding may be available depending on demand.
Apply now:
Technical Assistance Form Application
Community Ready Broadband Grant Consulting Service Request For Proposals (RFP)
Vendors interested in responding to this RFP must respond by March 27. For more information, please visit the OIT Vendor Self Service page. For access, select “Public Access” then search for “Broadband” to find the Community Ready Broadband Grant Consulting Services RFP.
On Feb. 27, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has awarded $2,999,023 to Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo as part of the CMC. CSU Pueblo’s “Adelante Connect” project will not only connect residents to high speed internet but will also create awareness within the community about how factors such as digital equity, inclusion and literacy impact connectivity. The project includes two phases. Learn more about the CMC Pilot Program Award to CSU.
 The CBO, with non-profit EducationSuperHighway, hosted Lt. Governor Primavera for a press conference on Feb. 22 to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Here, the Lt. Governor announced Colorado ACP Act Now, a statewide initiative to unite a broad coalition of 71 partner cities, community-based organizations and trusted institutions with a mission to close the broadband affordability gap.
To support the state’s efforts toward ACP awareness & education, EducationSuperHighway recently launched getacp.org/colorado, an easy to use tool to help Coloradans discover the easiest way to qualify for the long-term benefit.
Read the Press Release.
Discover other instances of how the work of the CBO is capturing media attention on both local and national levels, on our website.
Following February’s release of our new CBO Broadband Mapping Hub (Hub), the Broadband Data Team will focus its next installment of the Broadband Data & Mapping Webinar Series on how to use the new maps, applications and dashboards. Join us on March 29 at 1 p.m. as we walk through the features and functionality of the Hub, maps and dashboards.
Registration Information
 Registration is now open for the Colorado Broadband Summit on April 19 - 20. Join us for this two day event which is co-hosted by the CBO, the NTIA, the Office of the Future of Work/Colorado Department of Labor, the Office of eHealth Innovation, Colorado Counties Inc., Colorado Municipal League and Special Districts Association of Colorado. We have invited critical partners to discuss the programs and collaborations necessary to achieve connectivity and digital equity for Coloradans. An agenda will become available ahead of the event.
The CBO has been busy traveling across the state to engage with broadband leaders and communities over the past month. Here’s a quick highlight of some of our visits:
Members of Colorado’s Digital Equity Team recently attended the National Digital Inclusion Association’s (NDIA) Net Inclusion 2023 Conference in San Antonio. Around 800 digital inclusion practitioners, from community based organizations to state governments, participated in workshops and breakout sessions & shared their successes and challenges in implementing digital equity strategies and developing state digital equity plans.
Colorado Digital Equity Research Opportunity Deadline Approaches
The Colorado Digital Equity Research Opportunity is open to Colorado based community-based organizations primarily serving target populations outlined in the application packet, and will support the collection of insights from communities served, which will be used to inform the creation of the Digital Equity Plan.
Applications for this opportunity will close on April 5 at 11:00 p.m. Application information can be found on our website.
It continues to be a busy time of year at the State Capitol, where the Colorado General Assembly presses forward on this year's legislative session. On Friday, Feb. 24, the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) met with the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) to discuss broadband updates and legislation. The hearing culminated in broad support for an OIT legislative agenda item: the committee voted 6-0 to introduce important broadband legislation that will enable local governments in Colorado to provide broadband internet service without having to pass a voter referendum. The bill will have bipartisan Senate and House sponsors. Click here for the audio recording.
HB23-1051 (Support For Rural Telecommunications Providers) aligns the expiration date of the High Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM), Dec. 1, 2023, with the sunset review date (Sept. 1, 2024) of the Broadband Deployment Board (BDB). HB23-1051 passed the House on Feb. 3 and the Senate on March 3. The bill will now be sent to the governor for signature.
The next Legislative Stakeholder call is on March 15 at 1 p.m. (MST). These calls are held weekly. If you would like to attend, please register here.
Please reach out to michael.mcreynolds@state.co.us to learn more or if you have any questions regarding the General Assembly or hearings involving OIT.
The CBO is seeking applications for a Senior Broadband Program Specialist. Come join a fun and hard-working team dedicated to connecting Coloradans. Applications are due March 20. For more information, please view the role here.
The CBO has been busy traveling across the state to engage with broadband leaders and communities over the past month. 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.
Here’s a quick highlight of some of our most recent visits:
U.S. Forest Service
On Feb. 6, CBO’s Mark Colwell joined NTIA to present to U.S. Forestry Supervisors. NTIA provided an overview of the BEAD program, and Mark shared the state’s perspective on how CPF and BEAD funding might impact Forest Service permitting and environmental reviews.
CTA Winter Meeting
On Feb. 14, Mark Colwell delivered a keynote for the Colorado Telecommunications Association Winter Meeting in Denver. Mark provided an overview of CBO programs and discussed the historic opportunity to close the digital divide in Colorado.
CCUA Monthly Meeting
On Feb. 16, the Colorado Communications and Utility Alliance hosted the CBO Program Team for its monthly call. Staff provided updates on the CPF and BEAD programs, and discussed CBO’s new broadband mapping tools.
Summer Broadband Roadshow content
During our Summer Broadband Roadshow, members of the CBO will travel across Colorado to discuss CPF application guidelines and process, the BEAD 5-year Action Plan and Tribal consultations. If you would like the CBO Summer Broadband Roadshow to visit your town, please send us an email at oit_broadband@state.co.us
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