A bill aimed at speeding up the deployment of new cell phone towers in Colorado is on track to pass the state legislature, following several amendments intended to balance state and local interests, according to The Aspen Times.
House Bill 1056, one of several proposals emerging from a bipartisan group of mostly rural lawmakers, seeks to impose clear timelines on local governments for approving wireless infrastructure permits. The goal: to address widespread gaps in cell service across Colorado, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“This is about safety and convenience,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, who chairs the interim committee that drafted the legislation. “Coloradans from all corners of the state have made it clear that spotty cell coverage is both a hazard and a frustration. These bills represent important steps toward stronger statewide connectivity.”
The broader legislative package also includes tax incentives for telecom companies that build in low-service areas and an expanded role for Colorado’s broadband office to include wireless support, the The Aspen Times reported.
During committee hearings, telecom companies said permit delays—sometimes lasting over a year—were a top barrier to expanding service. House Bill 1056 originally called for permit decisions within 60 days, but lawmakers extended the timeline to accommodate local government concerns.
The revised version now requires local governments to approve or deny permit applications within 150 days for large facilities and 90 days for smaller projects. If no decision is made within those windows, the permit is automatically approved.
The bill also allows governments to pause the timeline for valid reasons—such as ongoing reviews of essential housing or water projects—with the initial pause window extended from 30 to 45 days.
Bev Staples, legislative and policy advocate for the Colorado Municipal League, said the changes provide flexibility for local priorities. “These updates ensure wireless projects don’t crowd out other critical community developments,” she said.
With bipartisan support and ongoing momentum, House Bill 1056 is expected to move forward as Colorado continues working toward more reliable cell coverage statewide.
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