Two local governments in Colorado—Summit County and the town of Breckenridge—are looking for ways to provide their citizens with improved broadband service, a challenge in the craggy and rural landscape of northern Colorado.
The Summit County commissioners provided an update on January 24 regarding the development of broadband service in the area, reports the Summit Daily. After issuing a request for information in December, it received responses from eight different wireless companies who offered to provide service in the community but not in the more rural areas.
“It’s a basic utility that should be provided to everyone, but that’s not the way we do it in this country, it is for profit,” said County Commissioner Karn Stieglemeir, regarding company’s resistance to providing service in rural areas due to financial reasons.
During its most recent retreat, the Breckenridge Town Council discussed next steps to broadband development within its community. It already approved devoting $75,000 into the 2017 budget to fund broadband projects.
Both governments passed a ballot initiative that exempts them from Colorado Senate Bill 152, which prevents towns and municipalities from creating their own broadband networks.
February 20, 2017
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