Broadband – Garfield County

County secures $1.7 million 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. The DOLA grant is being matched by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded to the county to help realize the project, which expands broadband service to underserved locations throughout Garfield County. The first phase of the project, which is underway and expected to be completed this year, includes construction of lateral fiber from middle mile infrastructure along the Interstate 70 corridor that connects with carrier neutral locations in Glenwood Springs and

Broadband, DOLA, Grants

Affordable Connectivity Program connects families with internet service

A woman is working at home using a modem router, connecting the Internet to her laptop.

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 –

Broadband

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. The Board of County Commissioners approved a $200,000 budget supplement to cover the remaining costs of the project, which is not to exceed $1,140,180. More than $970,000 of a previously awarded Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant is also being utilized toward the project’s costs. That DOLA matching grant has been reallocated toward the middle-mile efforts from a prior proposal to implement wireless infrastructure, which was determined to be cost-prohibitive. The $200,000 supplement is coming

Broadband, DOLA