The Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program guidelines and resources for Capital Projects Fund (CPF) applications are now available!
The following materials are now available on the Advance-CPF webpage:
- Grant program guidelines and FAQs
- Eligible Location Challenge instructions (required)
- Compliance resources to help applicants navigate federal funding compliance and reporting requirements
Potential applicants and stakeholders have the opportunity to submit feedback on the grant program guidelines and requirements before the application window opens in early summer. The public comment period for the guidelines will close on April 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
We have also opened the Eligible Location Challenge window. The Eligible Location Challenge will be conducted in two phases. Phase I requires participation in the FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) challenge process with a copy of the submission sent to the CBO. Phase II will commence once Program awards are announced. Eligible Location Challenge instructions and submission form are available on the Advance-CPF grant program webpage.
We’re days away from the Colorado Broadband Summit! Join us on April 19 - 20 as we meet with local governments, community leaders, industry, state & federal representatives and other critical partners to discuss the programs and collaborations necessary to achieve connectivity and digital equity for Coloradans. In-person registration is near capacity, so please register soon. We are also happy to offer a virtual option for this event.
 CBO is excited to announce our 2023 Summer Broadband Roadshow. We’re looking forward to getting on the road to meet with local communities to discuss all things Colorado broadband. On this tour, we plan to cover the 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
We recognize that in order to deploy the upcoming historic amounts of broadband funding in Colorado, our state will need a skilled workforce. We’re happy to share that on March 27, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced it is now accepting applications for the Work-Based Learning Incentive (WBLI) Program. Colorado-based employers may be eligible for reimbursements of up to $10,000 to train their employees. The CBO highly encourages telecommunications providers and contractors to apply for this program.
Read the full Press Release.
The Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is happy to welcome Jessie Hawthorn, its new Digital Navigator Program Administrator. In partnership with Serve Colorado, a special Request for New Applications (RFA) has been released that seeks applicants who are interested in establishing Digital Navigation AmeriCorps programs to address digital inequities (program closes April 11). Jessie will work closely with Serve Colorado to administer this exciting new program.
Additionally, the Digital Equity Team is reviewing applications for a funding opportunity involving distribution of surveys across Colorado, the results of which will inform the State Digital Equity Plan.
To learn more, visit our website.
The 2023 Colorado General Assembly is more than halfway through the legislative session. OIT’s priority bill SB23-183 (Local Government Provision of Communication Services) passed the Senate on March 29, 2023. The bill will be heard in the House Transportation, Housing, Local Government Committee on April 12, 2023. Click here to listen to the committee audio.
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 and Senate and was signed by the Governor on March 23, 2023.
The next Legislative Stakeholder call is on April 13 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.
 During the month of March, CBO and the CDLE Office of the Future of Work hosted three workforce planning stakeholder meetings to get input from Coloradans. Workforce planning is a required component of our BEAD 5-Year Action Plan.
The CBO would like to take every opportunity to engage with broadband leaders and communities around Colorado. 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.
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