Broadband service in Garfield County
County looks to cut through broadband red tape
Garfield County has sent a letter to Colorado Governor Jared Polis requesting assistance in navigating the roadblocks to access state-owned fiber lines to bring broadband service more quickly to western Colorado.Broadband letter
County secures $1.7 million DOLA grant for broadband
Garfield County has secured a more than $1.7 million grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to help complete phase II of its middle mile broadband project.DOLA grant
Affordable Connectivity Program helps families attain internet service
The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with discounted broadband service and needed devices. Through ACP, families at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines can receive up to $30 per month discount on internet service and $100 discount for the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Households on tribal lands can receive up to $75 discount on monthly internet service.ACP
County partnership aims to further broadband goals

Meet-me expansion
Middle-mile network implementation moves forward
Garfield County has agreed to a contract with Vero Fiber Networks, LLC, to build middle-mile and carrier-neutral locations to bolster broadband service in the region.Vero Fiber contract
Broadband strategy advances
A strategy to improve broadband services for residents in Garfield County is moving forward, with an immediate focus on service in more remote areas.Garfield County survey results
In Garfield County, both the general public and industry took part in meetings to discuss the current infrastructure and level of services, as well as local business needs, and overall expectations for the future of broadband.
The topics included availability and reliability of current services; challenges and opportunities for local businesses; potential public-private partnerships to help develop a broadband system; funding channels for government entities; and potential growth in coming years.
In meetings with industry in Glenwood Springs and Rifle, the economic benefits of an improved broadband system were touted as a way to attract new businesses to the area. Attendees noted that a deficient broadband system is detrimental to the educational aspirations of residents, and has a negative economic impact "by creating an ill-prepared workforce."
During public meetings in Carbondale and New Castle, attendees bemoaned a lack of residential service options in more rural areas. Many residents also questioned the reliability of their service, as well as the lack of redundant lines in the case of an outage, and the potential impacts of such to contacting emergency services.
The speed of the internet service and its price were also crucial factors for residents of both counties. The Federal Communications Commission redefined broadband speed in 2015 as 25 megabits per second (mbps) for download speed, up from the past standard of 4 mbps. In the residential survey, 60 percent of respondents found their service below the new broadband standard.
Upload speed was also increased from 1 mbps to 3 mbps under the FCC's new definition of broadband. In the same survey, 49 percent relayed that their service did not meet that standard.
Nearly 90 percent of survey respondents replied that they would pay $50 a month for reliable service; 72 percent would pay $65 each month; and 47 percent would pay $75 a month.