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April 11, 2023 

Welcome!

The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) leads the statewide effort to expand broadband coverage and quality for Coloradans and coordinates all broadband efforts for Colorado.

In This Issue

• Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program Opens
• Colorado Broadband Summit Approaches
• Host the CBO: Summer Broadband Roadshow
• Workforce Training Program Announced
• Digital Equity Updates
• Legislative Updates
• Community Engagement: On the Road with the CBO
• Promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Employee Spotlight
• Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program Updates
• Broadband Deployment Board and Broadband Fund Updates
• Broadband Data Team Updates
• Upcoming Events
• Federal Funding Updates & Reminders

Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program Opens

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.

Colorado Broadband Summit Approaches

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.

Host the CBO: Summer Broadband Roadshow

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

Workforce Training Program Announced

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.

Digital Equity Updates

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.

Legislative Updates

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.

Community Engagement: On the Road with the CBO

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.

Promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program

As of April 10, 191,988 Colorado households have enrolled in ACP, accounting for 25% of eligible households in the state. Colorado enrollment has increased by over 21,000 families in the first three months of 2023 alone. 

Additionally, we are pleased to announce that five Colorado organizations have been chosen as awardees for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program: 

• Ethiopian Community Television of Aurora ($200,000) 
• Denver Community Ventures Denver ($125,000) 
• Hunger Free Colorado Denver ($110,000) 
• Colorado Community Action Association Nederland ($200,000) 
• City of Pueblo Pueblo ($300,000)

How can you help?

Spread the word! We need your help in sharing the new Colorado-branded, mobile-friendly, streamlined pre-screening tool to prepare households for ACP enrollment and provide on-demand support. Explore below.

Employee Spotlight

Brandy Reitter  Executive Director Colorado Broadband Office

Tell us about your role at the CBO.

"I am the Executive Director for the CBO and joined the office in 2022. I am responsible for working with our wonderful team to make broadband happen and to bridge the digital divide in Colorado. The reason why I decided to take on this role is because I have and continue to experience the results of those who lack connectivity. When I worked in local government the top complaint I used to receive was the lack of connectivity and poor broadband service in every community I have lived in. 

 

From affordability, poor performance to outages that would halt the operations of hospitals, fire and police stations, and bring commerce to a grinding halt, it was a daily experience. I would hear numerous stories about children without access to broadband falling behind those with access. I too have sat outside a McDonald’s parking lot visiting family in a rural community to respond to work emails because of the lack of access to broadband. 

 

I decided in 2021 after experiencing how the pandemic really brought to light the issues, I wanted to try and solve the problem on a larger scale. I had experience working with ISPs on affordable broadband networks, creating a municipal broadband utility and built a few community broadband projects. I wanted to bring the lessons learned and successes I had experienced to the state to help leadership execute on our programs and do it right. It’s exciting to be part of a historic movement in broadband in our country and my goal is to make sure Colorado does it right."

How did you get here? 

"I have been with the CBO since February of 2022. After 17 years working in local government in Colorado, with 10 of those years serving as a Town Manager, I joined the CBO to work on universal broadband for the state. I was inspired by my experience in local government and from all the municipalities, counties, special districts, community anchors, and industry partners who I worked with to solve broadband issues at a grassroots level. Since most of my time was in rural Colorado, I truly understand the needs in areas of the state that represent the most underserved communities. I also experienced broadband issues along the Front Range when I worked at the City of Longmont, which was one of a few cities who launched a municipal broadband network when I was there. Lack of connectivity impacts rural and urban areas across Colorado. 

 

Since joining the CBO, I feel my role has expanded to include initiatives, projects, and engagement that was hard to anticipate in 2022. I see this as an opportunity for the CBO to finally become the state leader on Broadband. The biggest differences are the staff that supported the transition when I was hired and the new team members that continue to carry the vision for broadband forward. We have a blend of well rounded diverse individuals working hard on broadband deployment on behalf of the residents of Colorado which has been so valuable. The strategies and tools that we have implemented over the last year will serve the CBO well as we manage and allocate historic federal funding."

What do you like most about your job?

"I like my staff and those who we partner with that don’t directly report to me, but are critical to the success of our office. Everyday I am amazed by the brilliance my team contributes to the CBO. I enjoy learning about their stories, what motivates them, and the laughs we share. Everyone is really smart and has a passion for bridging the digital divide. The CBO team is the best team I have had the opportunity to work with in recent memory. Everyone is so helpful and positive and I really love that about my job!"

How do you like to spend your time when you are not working?

"When I am not working you can find me outside year-round doing something fun. I like to bike, SUP, river raft, mountain bike, dirt bike, train run, ski, camp, RV, and travel. When I am tired of that, you can find me reading a book, hanging out with family."

   

What’s the greatest bit of advice you’ve ever been given?

"Be yourself and be kind. These words have never failed me."

Stay up to date on Colorado Broadband Office Events

Check out Colorado Broadband in the News

Visit the Colorado Broadband Office Mapping Hub

Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program Updates

We’re happy to share that the CBO's Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program guidelines and resources for Capital Projects Fund (CPF) applications are now available on our website. We’ve also created a new email address, specifically for the Advance Colorado Broadband grant program to allow for open communication between our programs team and stakeholders. For any questions relating to the Advance Colorado Broadband grant program please email us at Advance_CBO@state.co.us.

Additionally, March’s Industry & Community roundtable webinar slides and recordings are now available and can be found here.

Broadband Deployment Board and Broadband Fund Updates

As of March 31, the Board completed its review and issued Minimum Requirement Decisions for all of the applications for the Winter 2023 Grant Cycle. You can find all of the funding eligibility decisions on High Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM) and State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) on our website.   The BDB will host an Appeals/Award Criteria Review Meeting on Thursday, April 12.

Broadband Data Team Updates

How to Use Our Maps Webinar Recording Available After launching our new Broadband Mapping Hub in February, we hosted a webinar to provide a tutorial on using the Hub and the new maps and dashboards. The recording and slides are available on our website.   Colorado Broadband Data to be Published in May The Broadband Data Team is busy processing data collected in the 2023 Data Cycle. The statewide dataset will be published and our maps will be updated with the new data in May.

Upcoming Events

BDB Meetings

Appeals & Award Criteria Review

Wednesday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m.

In this BDB Meeting, we will review appeals made to board decisions for the Winter 2023 Grant Cycle. View the meeting agenda here.

Summer 2023 Grant Cycle Webinar

Monday, May 15 at 10 a.m.

Join us for this information webinar as we open the Summer 2023 Broadband Deployment Board Grant Cycle.

Digital Equity Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 23 at 11 a.m.

Digital Equity Committee meetings are virtual and open to any interested stakeholders. These meetings 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. Meetings will take place every other month, on fourth Tuesdays, at 11 a.m.

To learn more about digital equity programs in Colorado, click here.

Advance Roundtable Meetings

Community Meeting

Wednesday, May 17 at 10:30 a.m.

The CBO invites members of the community to participate in our Advance Roundtable Meetings. These are bi-monthly meetings and will include a Q&A session. If you have a topic you would like to discuss, please email it to oit_broadband@state.co.us.

Industry Meeting

Tuesday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m.

The CBO invites industry to participate in our Advance Roundtable Meetings. These are bi-monthly meetings and will include a Q&A session. If you have a topic you would like to discuss, please email it to oit_broadband@state.co.us.

Federal Funding Updates & Reminders

We continue to monitor federal programs and highlight recent developments in this space. Please visit our website and follow us on Twitter for more updates on federal broadband news.

• WCB Announces Final List of Entities Selected for ACP Pilot Programs | April 6
• 17M+ Households Enroll in Affordable Connectivity Program | April 3
• FCC Announces Over $2.8 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funding | March 30
• FCC Adopts Second Funding Opportunity for ACP Outreach Grant Program | March 15
• FCC Announces Over $1.7 Million In Emergency Connectivity Funding | March 15
• Commissioner Starks Statement on Your Home, Your Internet | March 15
• FCC Targets Over $7M Toward Affordable Connectivity Program Awareness | March 15
• Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Lower High-Speed Internet Costs| March 15

Upcoming Federal Events

• April 13: Tribal Consultation on Proposed Rules to Address Barriers to E-Rate Access
• April 20: April 2023 Open Commission Meeting