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The first of what will be multiple investments into connecting the most underserved parts of Colorado has been announced by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
Almost 19,000 homes and businesses across Colorado will benefit from nearly $113 million from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund program being made available to expand the state’s broadband infrastructure.
Dozens of projects in counties and reservations across the state were selected for the most recent round of funding, most of which will impact the south and southwest part of the state, where connectivity lacks the most, according a Jan. 3 announcement from the Colorado Broadband Office.
The projects selected for funding included more than $8.5 million to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to connect 557 locations on the Southern Ute Reservations. It’s the only project without any matching funds listed in a summary of awarded projects made public by the Colorado Broadband Office.
“Access to high-speed broadband is essential for hardworking Coloradans, students for learning, our economy and businesses who need access to new markets and this funding keeps us on the path to more success,” Polis said, according to the Colorado Broadband Office’s announcement.
Other grantees included Clarnetworx, LLC, which was awarded money for five projects in Montezuma, La Plata, and Archuleta counties. Those projects will connect thousands of residents and businesses, with the largest being over $10 million, with $3 million in matching funds, to connect over 2,000 locations in La Plata County, according to the Colorado Broadband Office.
In total, the state’s broadband office said they received more than 100 applications requesting $642 million in funding across 47 counties.
“In a world that turned to virtual connections during the pandemic, it’s critical to ensure Coloradans have internet access,” said Brandy Reitter, Executive Director, Colorado Broadband Office. “These awarded broadband projects will provide Coloradans in unserved and underserved communities with more opportunity and resources.”
An additional $826 million is expected from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program in the coming months, the state’s broadband office announced.
“Colorado is committed to connecting 99% of households to broadband by 2027 and we look forward to reaching this goal through a range of mechanisms and funding sources,” the Colorado Broadband Office’s Jan. 3 announcement stated.
Click here to view a map showing the locations of awarded projects, provided by the Advance Colorado Broadband Program, which manages grants through the Colorado Broadband Office.
