12-Year-Old Bill Restricting Broadband Being Overturned

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Beginning next month, Colorado towns and counties will vote on whether to opt out of the 12-year-old SB 152, a state law that restricts broadband development. Community Networks reported that 98 communities across the state have already voted to reclaim local telecommunications authority by opting out of the bill.

A major challenge with the bill is that it has hindered communities’ ability to invest in internet infrastructure and provide service themselves or with private sector partners. Communities have also discovered that national carriers can’t always be relied on to provide high-quality internet access. Now, communities want to give themselves options.

Being released from SB 152, which went into effect in 2005, will give communities the chance to establish public-private partnerships, explore high-quality network options, and/or new providers and different models.

Some towns are already ahead of the 8-ball. The town of Greeley has agreed to fund a feasibility study with neighboring town Windsor. Additionally, Avon Mayor Jennie Fancher said, “Many communities around the state have already passed similar ballot initiatives in order to provide or partner in the provision of broadband services, and a “yes” vote also enables residents to make the best decisions based on the needs of our own community, without raising taxes.”

October 25, 2017

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