10 Apr 2018

More Colorado Communities Vote in Favor of Local Broadband Authority as Legislators Dedicate Rural Broadband Funding

by | Date: 10 Apr 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In Colorado last week, communities held spring elections if they needed to choose elected officials or ask voters to make decisions on local matters. In six rural communities, voters decided to join the almost 120 municipalities and counties around the state that have already voted to opt out of Colorado’s restrictive state law SB 152. Meanwhile, the General Assembly tried to help bring broadband to the state’s most rural areas.… Read More
8 Feb 2018

Loveland, Colorado City Council Moves Forward on Municipal Broadband Network Development

by | Date: 8 Feb 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In a series of decisions, Loveland, Colorado’s City Council voted earlier this week to take the next step toward developing a municipal broadband network. In addition to allocating funds to develop a business plan, city leadership established an advisory board, accepted task force recommendations, and voted to amended current code to allow the electric utility to handle communications activities.… Read More
23 Oct 2017

More Colorado Towns Put Municipal Broadband Question on The Ballot

by | Date: 23 Oct 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This November, more Colorado towns and counties will be voting on whether to opt out of the 12-year-old SB 152, a state law that restricts broadband development. Senate Bill 152 has hindered communities’ ability to invest in Internet infrastructure and provide service themselves or with private sector partners. Many communities are realizing that national carriers can’t be relied on to provide high-quality Internet access. To date, at least 98 communities across the state of Colorado have voted to reclaim local telecommunications authority by opting out of SB 152; a handful are considering actually pursuing a publicly owned network.… Read More
2 Oct 2017

Fort Collins, Colo. Municipal Utility Ballot Language Lives Through Legal Challenge

by | Date: 2 Oct 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Fort Collins’ ballot measure that could amend the City Charter allowing high-speed Internet to become a municipal utility moves forward after a short legal scuffle. The question will be decided at the November 7th special election. Failed Legal Petition After the language of the ballot question was released following approval by City Hall, local activist … Read More
18 Aug 2017

Bring On The Ballots: Two More Colorado Communities Face Opt Out Question

by | Date: 18 Aug 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As predicted, more Colorado communities are opting out of the state’s restrictive SB 152 that removed local telecommunications authority in 2005. Two more communities have decided to put the question to voters this fall in order to take the reins and reclaim local control.   Eagle County, Colorado There are about 53,000 people living in Eagle County, … Read More
1 Dec 2016

Media Outlets Cover 2016 Colorado Broadband Ballot Initiatives

by | Date: 1 Dec 2016 | posted in: Media Coverage, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On November 8th, 2016, 26 Colorado cities and counties joined 69 of their fellow communities in opting out of the restrictive, anti-municipal broadband state law, SB 152. For years, we at ILSR have been covering the developments in Colorado as voters reclaim local telecommunications authority. The media, both locally and nationally, took notice of our efforts.… Read More
25 Mar 2016

Mancos Voters The Latest To Decide Local Authority In Colorado

by | Date: 25 Mar 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

 Mancos, a rural community of about 1,300 in rural southwest Colorado, hopes to join over 50 other communities across the state that have reclaimed local telecommunications authority. On April 5th, the town will decide whether to exempt itself from SB 152, Colorado’s 2005 state law that removed local choice from municipalities and local governments. Located at … Read More