Garfield County seeks solutions to broadband roadblock
Pipes and ducts for fiber optics for high speed telecommunications.
Garfield County has sent a letter to Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commission emphasizing its frustration over hurdles to implement broadband service as an economic boost for western Colorado. The letter requests that the governor’s office immediately allow Garfield County and its municipalities, as well as those on the Western Slope needing access, connections to CDOT’s fiber lines running along Interstate 70. The county has secured Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grants to match taxpayer dollars in realizing the first two phases of broadband rollout along I-70 but hasn’t yet received approval from CDOT
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County awards second-quarter discretionary funds
The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners in a regular meeting.
Garfield County has awarded $46,000 in second quarter discretionary grants to local nonprofit organizations. The nonprofits had requested $59,000 in grants; a total of $120,000 was allocated for discretionary funds in 2022, and each request is capped at $5,000. All told, 14 nonprofits made grant requests before the Board of County Commissioners. Nonprofits receiving grant funding include the Rifle Rendezvous ($5,000 toward the event and efforts to engage youth in western heritage); West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway steering committee ($500 toward maintenance of informative exhibits and production of brochures); New Ute Theater Society ($4,000 for offering programming in
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Garfield County Commissioners oppose DeGette wilderness bill
Colorado Wilderness Act would designate more than 71,000 acres in the county Garfield County has submitted a letter in opposition to the Colorado Wilderness Act, one part of a much larger eight-bill package known as the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act. The Board of County Commissioners noted in its letter that the piecemeal wilderness approach does not represent the citizens of Garfield County and would impose restrictions on public lands that limit access and restrict or eliminate mining, oil and gas development, grazing hunting and recreation. The county’s letter is addressed to Representative Diana DeGette, who sponsored the
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