Colorado’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is making significant strides in expanding high-speed internet access across the state. This initiative is part of a broader federal effort under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated $42.45 billion nationwide to improve broadband access.

Broadband is essential. It powers education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. But many communities in Colorado still don’t have reliable access. Large parts of the state—especially rural and mountainous areas—struggle with unreliable or non-existent high-speed internet. The BEAD program aims to fix that and bring broadband to every corner of Colorado.

The Problem

If you live in Denver or Boulder, it might seem like everyone has fast, reliable internet. But in rural Colorado, many communities are still waiting for basic connectivity. This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a serious barrier to education, healthcare, and business.

Imagine a family in the mountains trying to do online school with dial-up speeds, or a rural health clinic unable to run telehealth programs because the connection keeps dropping. For many, broadband is as essential as electricity or water. Yet, 4.7% of survey respondents reported not having broadband internet access at home. While this amounts to less than one in 20 Coloradans, it still represents nearly 270,000 Colorado households who lack this important service.

What BEAD Does

The BEAD program is a federal initiative designed to fund broadband expansion in underserved areas. Colorado’s share is substantial: $826.5 million, one of the largest allocations in the country.

Here’s how it works:

• The federal government provides funding to states.
• States allocate the funds to subgrantees—ISPs, cooperatives, municipalities, and nonprofits.
• These subgrantees build out the broadband infrastructure.

The focus is on areas with internet speeds less than 25/3 Mbps, which will be far below the standards needed for effective remote work, education, and healthcare by 2025.

Colorado’s Plan

Funding Overview

• Total Allocation: Colorado is set to receive $826.5 million from the BEAD program.
• Application Status: Currently, the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) has received 185 applications requesting $1.78 billion, significantly exceeding the available funds.
• Eligible Locations: The applications target over 111,000 homes and businesses, including 67,559 unserved and 44,337 underserved locations.
• Matching Funds: Applicants have reported $517 million in matching funds, bringing the total project cost to approximately $2.3 billion.

Colorado’s Advance Colorado Broadband initiative is managing the program. The state’s goal is simple: connect every corner of Colorado, starting with the regions most in need.

Program Goals and Implementation

Governor Jared Polis aims for Colorado to achieve 99% household connectivity by 2027, with current estimates showing about 93% of homes already connected. The initiative focuses primarily on rural areas lacking infrastructure due to geographical challenges.

The CBO has approved two volumes of initial proposals outlining strategies for effectively deploying BEAD funding. These proposals include:

• Engaging communities to identify broadband needs.
• Establishing a challenge process for local governments and service providers to contest unserved or underserved designations.
• Prioritizing fiber-optic technology but remaining open to various solutions tailored to specific community needs.

Key Dates

• Prequalification Start: September 12, 2024
• Application Deadline: October 28, 2024
• Results Announcement: Mid-November 2024

Prequalification ensures applicants have the financial and technical capacity to complete projects. The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) will post updates on their official site.

This funding isn’t just for big cities or established providers. Smaller ISPs, nonprofits, and even local governments can apply, as long as they meet the program’s standards.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about faster Netflix or smoother Zoom calls—it’s about equity. Without reliable internet, rural communities fall behind. With it, they can:

• Access telehealth services: Imagine a farmer in Gunnison consulting a specialist hundreds of miles away.
• Compete in remote job markets: Broadband means remote work opportunities aren’t limited to urban centers.
• Support local businesses with global reach: An artist in Steamboat Springs could sell to customers around the world.

Broadband is the backbone of modern life. Communities without it are disconnected from today’s economy, education, and healthcare systems.

What’s Next?

Prequalification is complete, and results are expected soon. The real work starts after that. By late 2025, the first major projects should be completed, bringing reliable broadband to thousands of Coloradans.

For the organizations involved—ISPs, nonprofits, and local governments—this is a chance to solve a problem that’s been ignored for too long. For the people living in those underserved areas, it’s a chance to participate in the modern world.

Colorado’s BEAD program isn’t just about internet speeds. It’s about closing gaps, creating opportunities, and connecting everyone to the same digital future.