For more Information Please Contact Denise Atkinson‐Shorey, Phone (303) 772‐4420 ext 2344, Email: connectk12@ucar.edu, Web‐Site http://www.co‐eaglenet.net 

State-wide Broadband Initiative Talking Points

The Need: Where we are now… • The need for Broadband connectivity in schools will increase more than 700% by the year 2011

(2007 America’s Digital Schools (ADS) 2007 survey - from 6.0 kbps to 45.0 kbps) • Colorado districts average less than half of the national average bandwidth

(Jan 2009 ADS report - 3.0 kbps for Colorado and 6.4 kbps national average) • Colorado is one of only 12 states not offering Internet2 connectivity to K-12 schools and districts across the state.

The Internet2 Gateway connection is anticipated for July 2009 pending funding of the annual membership fee. • No district in the state can currently provide advanced educational opportunities, such as full screen high definition

interactive video conferencing over Internet2, that exist for 50,000 other schools and districts across the country. • Even with the Internet2 Gateway connection, there are still significant broadband / last mile connectivity issues

impacting access to advanced educational opportunities. • Full term course offerings and short-term distance learning opportunities for classrooms is difficult to find and does

not always meet students and/or staff needs. Low bandwidth opportunities are unreliable. • Students’ bandwidth at home or on their personal cell phone often out performs the connectivity and content

available to them in school. Many families cannot afford Internet service at home.

The Plan: What we need to do… Business Case

• Reduce duplication of resources across the state o Cost of ownership 10 times greater than cost sharing through a consortium

• Leverage cost of bandwidth o Nebraska and Utah are examples where costs are leveraged.

($15/Mbps in Nebraska vs. $800/Mbps in some districts in Colorado) Instructional Case

• Improve access to educational resources o CDE initiatives: Assessments On-Line, Data Analysis/Sharing, Online Learning, Video Conferencing, State-

wide IEP o Utilize existing consortium model, continue development of Eagle-Net managed through BOCES

• Ensure long term opportunities for students and staff o Instructional need for bandwidth outpacing funding

Develop Partnerships • Public/Private Leveraged Resources • Aggregate Points in a Community to a common High Speed Broadband Connection • Multi-Vendor collaborative Partnerships with Higher Ed, Front Range GigaPop (FRGP), University Corporation for

Atmospheric Research (UCAR), Public Libraries, Museums, Fire/Safety, Healthcare, Colorado TeleHealth Network

The Benefits: What it would look like… Bandwidth Vision

• High speed broadband infrastructure • Affordable content options to retain and enhance local control and provide a sense of community • Essential model for rural, declining and small districts • CAP4K, Concurrent Enrollment, Online Learning, and College Course Pre-Graduation initiatives can only happen if

Colorado meets the bandwidth needs Collaborative Vision

• Partners for strong statewide infrastructure connectivity currently include Higher Ed, Colorado Tele-Health Network, Public Libraries, Community Colleges, Fire and Safety

• Provide on-net connectivity prior to accessing a gateway to the Internet Economic Development Vision

• Private sector and housing values in rural / underserved areas will benefit and promote economic development • Provides for expansion, growth and future partnerships

Region 1

Region 1

Region 1

Region 1

Region 4

Region 1

Region 1

Region 1

RSA 6

RSA 7

RSA 12RSA 9

RSA 4

RSA 1

RSA 2

RSA 8

RSA 11

RSA 5

RSA 10

RSA 3

Regions under SB08-038

ADAMSCOUNTY 14

BENNETT29J

BRIGHTON 27J

BRIGHTON27J

MAPLETON 1

NORTHGLENN-THORNTON 12

STRASBURG31JWESTMINSTER 50

DELTA COUNTY 50(J)

DOLORES COUNTY RE NO.2

GARFIELD16 GARFIELD

RE-2

ROARING FORKRE-1

BAYFIELD10 JT-R

DURANGO 9-R

IGNACIO11 JT

DE BEQUE 49JT

MESA COUNTY VALLEY 51

MOFFAT COUNTYRE:NO 1

DOLORES RE-4A

MONTEZUMA-CORTEZRE-1

MONTROSE COUNTYRE-1J

WEST END RE-2

MANCOSRE-6

PLATEAU VALLEY 50

MEEKER RE1RANGELY RE-4

NORWOOD R-2J

TELLURIDER-1

AULT-HIGHLANDRE-9

BRIGGSDALE RE-10

EATON RE-2

GILCRESTRE-1

GREELEY6

JOHNSTOWN-MILLIKEN

RE-5J

KEENESBURGRE-3(J)

PAWNEE RE-12

PLATTEVALLEY

RE-7

PRAIRIE RE-11

WELDCOUNTYS/D RE-8

WINDSORRE-4

BUFFALORE-4

FRENCHMANRE-3

PLATEAU RE-5

VALLEY RE-1

HAYDENRE-1

SOUTH ROUTTRE 3

STEAMBOATSPRINGS

RE-2

ACADEMY20

CALHANRJ-1

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN 12

COLORADOSPRINGS 11

EDISON54 JT

ELLICOTT22

FALCON 49

FOUNTAIN 8

HANOVER 28

HARRISON 2

LEWIS-PALMER 38

MANITOUSPRINGS

14

PEYTON23 JT

WIDEFIELD3

MIAMI/YODER 60 JT

OURAYR-1

RIDGWAY R-2

SILVERTON 1

GUNNISON WATERSHED RE1J

ASPEN 1

HINSDALE COUNTYRE 1

CREEDE 1

ARCHULETA COUNTY 50 JT

CENTER 26 JT

MOFFAT 2

MOUNTAIN VALLEY RE 1

DEL NORTE C-7

MONTE VISTAC-8

SARGENTRE-33J

NORTH CONEJOS RE-1J SANFORD6J

SOUTH CONEJOS RE-10

ALAMOSA RE-11J

SANGRE DE CRISTORE-22J

CENTENNIAL R-1

SIERRA GRANDE R-30AGUILAR

REORGANIZED 6

BRANSONREORGANIZED 82

HOEHNEREORGANIZED 3

KIM REORGANIZED88

PRIMEROREORGANIZED 2

TRINIDAD1

CAMPO RE-6

PRITCHETTRE-3

SPRINGFIELDRE-4

VILASRE-5

WALSHRE-1

BUENA VISTA R-31

SALIDA R-32

HUERFANO RE-1

LA VETARE-2

PUEBLOCITY60

PUEBLO COUNTY 70CONSOLIDATEDC-1

CANON CITY RE-1

COTOPAXIRE-3 FLORENCE

RE-2

EAGLE COUNTY RE 50

LAKE COUNTYR-1

SUMMIT RE-1

NORTH PARK R-1

PARK(ESTES PARK)

R-3

POUDRE R-1

THOMPSON R-2J

WEST GRAND 1-JT. EAST GRAND 2

PARK COUNTY RE-2

PLATTE CANYON 1

CLEAR CREEKRE-1

GILPINCOUNTY

RE-1

BOULDER VALLEY RE 2

ST VRAIN VALLEYRE 1J

DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1

CRIPPLECREEK-VICTOR

RE-1

WOODLANDPARKRE-2

JEFFERSONCOUNTY R-1

LAS ANIMASRE-1

MC CLAVERE-2

GRANADARE-1

HOLLYRE-3

LAMAR RE-2

WILEYRE-13 JT

CHERAW31

EAST OTERO R-1

FOWLER R-4J

MANZANOLA 3J

ROCKYFORD

R-2SWINK

33

CROWLEY COUNTYRE-1-J

EADS RE-1 PLAINVIEW RE-2

CHEYENNE COUNTY RE-5KIT CARSON R-1

ARRIBA-FLAGLERC-20

BETHUNER-5

BURLINGTONRE-6JHI-PLAINS

R-23

STRATTONR-4

YUMA 1 WRAY RD-2

IDALIA RJ-3LIBERTY J-4

HAXTUNRE-2J

HOLYOKERE-1J

JULESBURGRE-1

PLATTEVALLEY

RE-3

GENOA-HUGO C113

KARVAL RE-23

LIMONRE-4J

AKRON R-1

ARICKAREER-2

LONE STAR101

OTIS R-3

WOODLIN R-104

BRUSHRE-2(J)

FORTMORGAN

RE-3

WELDONVALLEYRE-20(J)

WIGGINSRE-50(J)

AGATE 300

BIG SANDY 100JELBERT 200

ELIZABETHC-1

KIOWA C-2

ADAMS-ARAPAHOE

28J

BYERS 32J

CHERRY CREEK 5

DEER TRAIL 26J ENGLEWOOD 1

LITTLETON 6

SHERIDAN 2

DENVERCOUNTY

1

Colorado Department of Education

Current Colorado School District Internet Bandwidth Kbps Per StudentBy Regional Service Area

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

45.0RS

A 1 -

Nor

thwe

st

RSA

2 - N

orth

Cen

tral

RSA

3 - N

orth

east

RSA

4 - W

est C

entra

l

RSA

5 - N

orth

west

RSA

6 - M

etro

RSA

7 - P

ikes P

eak

RSA

8 - N

orth

east

RSA

9 - S

outh

west

RSA

10 - S

outh

west

RSA

11 - S

outh

east

Pike

s Pea

k

RSA

12 - S

outh

east

Colorado K12 School District Regional Service Area

Kbp

s Pe

r Stu

dent

2008 Colorado AverageSchool District Kbps PerStudent

2008 Colorado Average-3.57 Kbps Per Student -Estimated Colorado AnnualCost of ISP Service for K12of $6M

2008 National Average- 6.48Kbps Per Student -Estimated Colorado AnnualCost of ISP Service for K12of $12M

2011 Projected KbpsRequired Per Student- 40.0Kbps - Estimated ColoradoAnnual Cost of ISP Serviceof $80M

Source for 2008 National Average and 2011 Projected Kbps: America’s Digital Schools 2008 Internet Bandwidth Report

Estimated Colorado Annual Cost of ISP Service for K12 at 3.57 Kbps Per Student - $6 Million

Estimated Colorado Annual Cost of ISP Service for K12 at 6.48 Kbps Per Student - $12 Million

Estimated Colorado Annual Cost of ISP Service for K12 at 40.0 Kbps Per Student - $80 Million

Prepared By: EAGLE-Net

How Colorado School Districts Compare to Colorado's State and National Average Bandwidth

* Colorado School District Average Bandwidth per Student = 3.57 kbps

* National School District Average Bandwidth per Student = 6.48 kbps

* 2011 Projected Bandwidth Required per Student = 40.0 kbps

BENNET 29J

JEFFERSON COUNTY R-1

BRIGHTON 27J

DENVER COUNTY 1

DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1

CHERRY CREEK 5

BOULDER VALLEY RE 2

ADAMS-ARAPAHOE 28J

ST

RA

SB

UR

G 3

1J

KIOWA C-2

AD

AM

S C

OU

NT

Y 14

ELIZABETH C-1

LITTLETON 6

KEENESBURG RE-3(J)

ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS MAPLETON 1 WESTMINSTER 50

ENGLEWOOD 1 SHERIDAN 2

WELD COUNTY S/D RE-8 ST VRAIN VALLEY RE 1J

CLEAR CREEK RE-1

GILPIN COUNTY RE-1

PLATTE CANYON 1

MOFFAT CO RE-1

POUDRE R-1

MEEKER RE1

GUNNISON WATERSHED RE1J

EADS RE-1

PARK COUNTY RE-2

NORTH PARK R-1

PUEBLO CO RURAL 70

EAGLE COUNTY RE 50

YUMA 1

MESA COUNTY VALLEY 51

DELTA COUNTY 50(J)

RANGELY RE-4

HUERFANO RE-1

DURANGO 9-R

DE BEQUE 49JT

WEST GRAND 1-JT

WRAY RD-2 AKRON R1

KIM REORGANIZED 88

VALLEY RE-1

WEST END RE-2

WALSH RE-1

MOUNTAIN VALLEY RE 1

ARCHULETA COUNTY 50 JT

EAST GRAND 2

HI-PLAINS R-23

KARVAL RE-23

ROARING FORK RE-1

MOFFAT 2

LAM

AR

RE

-2

AGUILAR RE-6

HAYDEN RE-1

GARFIELD RE-2

NORWOOD R-2J

FOWLER R-4J

LAS ANIMAS RE-1

MONTEZUMA-CORTEZ RE-1

DOLORES COUNTY RE NO.2

CHEYENNE WELLS RE-5

ASPEN 1

KIT CARSON R-1

GENOA-HUGO C113

BRANSON RE-82

HO

EHN

E R

EOR

GAN

IZED

3

PRAIRIE RE-11

AGATE 300

MONTROSE COUNTY RE-1J

ARICKAREE R-2

CENTENNIAL R-1

EAST OTERO R-1

PLATEAU VALLEY 50

WOODLIN R-104

MC

CLA

VE

RE

-2

PAWNEE RE-12

SALIDA R-32

BYERS 32J

ST

EA

MB

OAT

SP

RIN

GS

RE

-2

PR

ITC

HE

TT

RE

-3

OTIS R-3

SUMMIT RE-1

DEL NORTE C-7

IDALIA RJ-3

CUSTER CO SD C-1

BUENA VISTA R-31

CANON CITY RE-1

HO

LLY R

E-3

DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1

PRIMERO RE-2

BIG SANDY 100J

PLAINVIEW RE-2

KIOWA C-2

LIBERTY J-4

AR

RIB

A-F

LAG

LER

C-20

BU

RL

ING

TO

N R

E-6

J

HOLYOKE RE1-J

CR

EE

DE

SC

HO

OL D

IST

RIC

T

COTOPAXI RE-3

SO

UT

H R

OU

TT

RE

3

HIN

SD

AL

E C

O R

E 1

JEF

FE

RS

ON

CO

UN

TY

R-1

LIM

ON

RE

-4J

BR

US

H R

E-2

(J)

OURAY R-1

SP

RIN

GF

IELD

RE

-4

GR

AN

AD

A R

E-1

CR

OW

LEY

CO

UN

TY

RE

-1-J

CAMPO RE-6

SILVERTON 1

NORTH CONEJOS RE-1J

HA

XT

UN

RE

-2J

SIERRA GRANDE R-30

PLATEAU RE-5

BA

YF

IEL

D 10

JT-R

BE

NN

ET

29J

CENTER 26 JT

AU

LT-HIG

HL

AN

D R

E-9

GA

RF

IELD

16

FO

RT

MO

RG

AN

RE

-3

ST

RA

TT

ON

R-4

MANCOS RE-6

EDISON 54 JT

FLO

RE

NC

E R

E-2

THOMPSON R-2J

TRIN

IDA

D 1

KEENESBURG RE-3(J)

DEER TRAIL 26J

DOLORES RE-4A

TELLU

RID

E R

-1

LAKE

CO

UN

TY R

-1

PAR

K (E

STE

S PA

RK

) R-3

MIAMI/YODER 60 JT

BOULDER VALLEY RE 2

IGNACIO 11 JT SOUTH CONEJOS RE-10

ALAMOSA RE-11J

CLEAR CREEK RE-1

WIG

GIN

S R

E-50(J)

BRIGGSDALE RE-10

HANOVER 28

BUFFALO RE-4

BE

TH

UN

E R

-5

EATO

N RE-2

SANGRE DE CRISTO RE-22

ELLICOTT 22

FR

EN

CH

MA

N R

E-3

PLATTE CANYON 1

VILA

S R

E-5

ST VRAIN VALLEY RE 1J

CA

LH

AN

RJ-1

LA V

ETA

RE

-2

BRIGHTON 27J

ST

RA

SB

UR

G 3

1J

FALC

ON

49

LONE STAR 101

CHERAW 3

1

RID

GW

AY R

-2

FOUNTAIN 8

SA

NF

OR

D 6J

ELBERT 200

ELI

ZA

BE

TH

C-1

ACADEMY 20

LEWIS-PALMER 38

MA

NZ

AN

OLA

3J

JULESBURG RE-1

PLATTE VALLEY RE-7

PLATTE VALLEY RE-3

WOODLAND PARK RE-2

MONTE VISTA C-8

CRIPPLE CREEK-VICTOR RE-1

WELD COUNTY RE-1

PEYTON 23 JT

DENVER COUNTY 1

ROCKY FORD R-2

WELDON VALLEY RE-20(J)

SWINK 33

SARGENT RE-33J

WINDSOR RE-4

WILEY RE-13 JT

CHERRY CREEK 5

GREELEY 6

PUEBLO CITY 60

ADAMS-ARAPAHOE 28J

WIDEFIELD 3

WELD COUNTY S/D RE-8

MANITOU SPRINGS 14

GILPIN COUNTY RE-1

ADAMS COUNTY 14

COLORADO SPRINGS 11

JOHNSTOWN-MILLIKEN RE-5J

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN 12

LITTLETON 6

ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS

HARRISON 2

MAPLETON 1

WESTMINSTER 50

ENGLEWOOD 1 SHERIDAN 2

LegendSchool District's District Office

Bandwidth Less Than the State Average

Bandwidth Greater Than the State Average but Less Than National Average

Bandwidth Greater Than the National Average but Less Than Projected Need by 2011

Bandwidth Equal to or Greater Than 2011 Projected Bandwidth Required

State Map of School Districts

Denver Region

* Source of Colorado Data - 2009 Survey or Interview of School Districts

* National Average Bandwidth and Projected Bandwidth Requirement - America's Digital Schools 2008 Internet Bandwidth Report Map Published 7/1/09

PUEBLO CO RURAL 70

CANON CITY RE-1

KARVAL RE-23

CROWLEY COUNTY RE-1-J

BIG SANDY 100J

EDISON 54 JT

FLORENCE RE-2

PA

RK

CO

UN

TY

RE

-2

MIAMI/YODER 60 JT

HANOVER 28

ELLICOTT 22

FO

WLE

R R

-4J

CALHAN RJ-1

WO

OD

LAN

D P

AR

K R

E-2

FALCON 49

FOUNTAIN 8

CUSTER CO SD C-1

ACADEMY 20

CRIPPLE CREEK-VICTOR RE-1

PE

YT

ON

23

JT

CO

TO

PA

XI R

E-3

GE

NO

A-H

UG

O C

113

LIM

ON

RE

-4J

DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1

LEWIS-PALMER 38

PUE

BLO

CIT

Y 60

ELBERT 200

WIDEFIELD 3

MANITOU SPRINGS 14

COLORADO SPRINGS 11

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN 12HARRISON 2

CHERAW 31

JEFFERSON COUNTY R-1

MANZANOLA 3J

KIOWA C-2

Colorado Springs and Pueblo Region

 Application * Per User*

One T‐1

(1.5 Mbps)

Two T‐1s 

(3 Mbps) 

Four T‐1s

(6 Mbps)

10 Mbps

Ethernet

20 Mbps 

Ethernet

VoIP 50 kbps

Email and Web Browsing 50 kbps

Audio Streaming (MP3) 100 kbps

School Portal  100 kbps

Student Created Content  150 kbps

Online Learning  150 kbps

Virtual Field Trips 150 kbps

Web/School 2.0 Tools 250 kbps

Online Assessment  250 kbps

TV‐Quality Streaming Video (320 x 240) 250 kbpsInteractive Video at a Desktop

Standard Definition Good Quality  250 kbps

DVD Quality Streaming Video (640 x 480) 1040 kbps 

1/2 HD Quality Streaming Video (1024 x 720) 4977kbps

H.264 HD (1080 P) Video Conference 6000 kbps

Full HD Quality ‐ Streaming Video (1920 x 1080)  13998 kbps

KEY 

              ‐ Full Functionality 

              ‐ Problematic

              ‐ Unable to utilize with concurrent users

* Source ‐ School 2.0 Bandwidth Planner/Calculator and Video 

Bandwidth Estimater ‐ Sorenson Services USA

K‐12 Bandwidth Application and Software Analysis

Model Basis   

250 Students; 12 Teacher/Admin; 260 Computers; 12 VoIP Phones; 10/100 Ethernet LAN

Dynamic Use ‐ 260 Computer Users using one or more Applications simultaneously across LAN and Internet

K-12 Broadband Cost Study The Data There are over 800,000 students in K-12 in Colorado. The current Internet Bandwidth average per student is Colorado is 3.5 kbps or 2.4 Gbps of Internet Bandwidth total for Colorado Students. By 2011 the need for Bandwidth (ADS) will be 40 kbps per student or 32 Gbps of bandwidth for Colorado Students By 2015 the need for Bandwidth will be 400 kbps per student or 320 Gbps of bandwidth for Colorado Students The Costs This is based upon the assumption that the E-rate filings are inclusive of correct combinations of Internet bandwidth costs and Internet connector transport costs per each district. Data gathered regarding past E-rate practices have shown that many districts have not had sufficient understanding of the two components that comprise the connections and may not be filing for E-rate on both E-rate eligible components. Estimated Internet costs for 2008 is $6 million/ year for 3.5 kbps/ student Current Internet Cost per student per year in Colorado is 7.50/student or $2.50 per kb /student per year (.21/kbps per students per month) At this rate to reach the 40kbps needed by 2011 the annual cost of Internet Service will be $80 million per year. The costs for bandwidth by 2015 will grow to over $800,000,000 to deliver the needed bandwidth for Colorado Students at the current rates Estimated cost to build fiber to 178 school districts at $325,000 per site for broadband connectivity is $57,850,000. Estimated cost to build fiber to 2,000 schools at $325,000 per site for broadband is $650,000,000. Estimated ongoing costs for a 1 Gbps to all 2,000 schools after a broadband fiber build out to each school is $30,720,000 per year based on rates from new Utah agreement.

Comparisons Compare the rates in Colorado Schools to states with cost sharing non-profit statewide consortiums that pay $80 per mbps the cost is $30,720,000 per year for 32 Gbps Utah students currently average 9.3 kbps of Internet at a cost of Cost per student of $.77 per student per month (or $.08 per kbps per student per month). Utah will upgrade their network to a 1Gbps connection for all 450 schools in the next 12 months at a cost of $7 million annually. Internet Cost per student per year in Nebraska - Nebraska pays $ .08 per kbps per student per month. Incentives to join the statewide cost-sharing consortium include the statewide E-rate paying 65% of the costs and the State subsidizing 80% of the remaining 35% leaving the School Districts to pay less than 5.4% of the total costs Statewide.

U.S. CONSUMERS PAY MORE FOR SLOWER SPEEDS and

SCHOOLS IN COLORADO PAY EVEN MORE THAN CONSUMERS FOR SLOWER SPEEDS. In the U.S., DSL generally reaches speeds of up to 1.5 — 3.0 mbps at a price averaging $30-$50 per month (not including fees)while cable modems generally reach speeds of 3-5 mbps for $40-$50 per month. In Japan, the cost of an average connection with the speed of 26 mbps costs about $22.15 The contrast is even more striking when expressed in terms of cost per 100 kbps. The top speed generally available in Japan is 51 mbps at a cost of $0.06 per 100 kbps. The top speed generally available in the U.S. is 6 mbps available at a cost of $0.72 per 100 kbps. In other words, the Japanese have 8.5 times the speed at 1/12 of the cost.—CWA Speed Matters C Why K-12 is called the Dead Zone for Internet Access in Colorado

Type of Internet Access Bandwidth

Cost Comparison

US DSL Home use

3.0 Mbps $50.00 per month

Cost of $1.44/100 kbps

US Cable Home Use

6.0 Mbps

$50.00 per month

cost of $0.72/100kbps

Japan 8.5 times the speed at 1/12 the cost for home use

51 Mbps

$22.00 per month

cost of $0.06/100kbps

Colorado K-12 Schools

.00035 Mbps per student

Up to $800.00/mbps

Cost of $21.00/100kpbs

GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR. 

Colorado’s Recovery Act Broadband Framework 

 

  

 

7/16/2009  

 

 

 

2 

 

 

Executive Summary 

 As Colorado’s economy and government transition further into an information age, it is 

essential that the state utilize every possible avenue to increase access to broadband 

technologies.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which President Obama signed in 

Denver, presents a unique opportunity to increase broadband in all four corners of our state. 

Broadband enables communication and information sharing which connects communities.  As 

we become increasingly dependent on Internet technologies to share information and access 

resources, there is a need to make sure that Colorado’s citizens have access to high‐speed 

internet.  Broadband will soon be a requirement for our classrooms, hospitals and other 

community sites to engage not only others around the state, but throughout the world. 

Colorado has already made significant steps to bring a more comprehensive 

telecommunications network to the state.  Through public, private and nonprofit partnerships, 

we have created and consolidated systems to expand Colorado’s path to ubiquitous broadband 

coverage.  With our Multi‐use Network, Colorado Telehealth Network and other existing 

programs, we can use the Recovery Act to  help Colorado communities thrive and compete for 

jobs in the information economy. 

We are all well aware of how the Internet impacts our lives and  will continue to play a vital role 

in our economic and educational future.  Furthering our telecommunications infrastructure is a 

top priority and the Recovery Act offers us a tremendous opportunity. 

To help move Colorado toward ubiquitous coverage, the State has established a framework of 

priorities to help guide Recovery Act grant applications.  The State of Colorado is looking at all 

options as we move to enhance broadband coverage. However, for the first round of funding ‐ 

and while subject to change ‐ the state decided  to allow the private sector to take full 

advantage of this opportunity.  Many of the services provided by the State of Colorado depend 

on broadband, but the government’s best role is to facilitate the building of broadband 

networks rather than taking the place of private industry.  Our primary focus is to work with 

industry around the state to provide broadband to community sites that are unserved or 

underserved.   The state will prioritize applications that seek to create or improve high‐speed 

Internet access at community anchor institutions.  The best application(s) will  coordinate with 

industry partners, local governments and other public entities to create a comprehensive 

approach to providing broadband coverage throughout the state. The state would like to see 

proposals that build off of our state’s existing infrastructure instead of  building new lines 

where there is existing access.  

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While the state as a government entity will not submit an application  during the first round, we 

will be thoroughly engaged in the process and will aid the private and non‐profit sectors with 

their applications.  As we work together on this first round of funding we will learn where the 

barriers are and potentially how to remove those barriers.  If necessary, the State  will apply  for 

funding in rounds two or three of the process.    

Our Priorities 

The Recovery Act includes two major competitive grants for broadband projects that can go to 

public and private entities. The National Telecommunications Information Administration 

(NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is distributing $4.7 billion through the 

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The Rural Utility Service (RUS), a division 

of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is distributing $2.5 billion through the Broadband 

Initiatives Program (BIP) to rural communities.   

For the rural program, the Notice of Funds Availability did not define the state’s role  Therefore, 

the state will  provide assistance to entities that wish to apply for these funds. The BTOP 

program guidelines indicate that the NTIA may consult with states regarding  funding priorities.   

Under the BTOP Program, the NTIA has prioritized three categories of available funds: 

Broadband Infrastructure (projects focused on Last Mile and Middle Mile in unserved and 

underserved areas), Public Computing Centers (projects focused on expanding public access 

and capacity to these locations) and Sustainable Broadband Adoption (projects focused on 

broadband education, awareness, training, access equipment or support).  The following 

contains the Governor’s Office’s priorities for each of these categories.  

Broadband Infrastructure (up to $1.2 billion available) 

The highest priority of the Governor’s Office regarding broadband stimulus funds is to 

support  services to community anchor institutions.  In accordance with the NTIA, for 

purposes of this framework, a ‘community anchor institution’ is defined as: schools, 

libraries, medical and healthcare providers, public safety entities, community colleges 

and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organizations 

and agencies that provide outreach, access, equipment and support services to facilitate 

greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations, including low‐income, 

unemployed, and elderly residents. The Governor’s Office intends to  support 

applications that:  

1. Focus on providing broadband services to one or more community anchor institutions currently without access to broadband services and not already 

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covered by a binding, legally‐enforceable commitment to provide broadband by the end of 2010;  

 2. Uses infrastructure that currently exists as opposed to overbuilding a community 

or service area.  3. Enhance the speed or other aspects of broadband services performance to areas 

which currently have no service or only lower‐quality service; and  

4. Can show long‐term sustainability.  

Public Computer Centers (up to $50 million available)  The Governor’s Office will support applications that focus on maximizing the accessibility of these centers by either increasing the number of computers available or the number of participants that can access the site.  Additionally, priority will be given to projects that:  

 1. Uses infrastructure that currently exists as opposed to overbuilding a community 

or service area.  2. Enhance the speed or other aspects of broadband services performance to areas 

which currently have no service or only lower‐quality service.   

3. Can show long‐term sustainability.  

Sustainable Broadband Adoption (up to $150 million)  The Sustainable Broadband Adoption Category is designed to fund innovative projects that promote broadband strategies and access around the state.  For this category, the Governor’s Office will give priority to applications that:   

1. Includes a combination of rural and urban territories.    2. Increases the overall penetration rate of new subscribers. 

 3. Contains the lowest cost per new subscriber. 

 

Other proposed projects may receive secondary support, but in the ranking of state priorities 

and recommendations, coverage of community anchor institutions will receive the highest level 

of support from the Governor’s Office and the State of Colorado. The Governor’s Office may 

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also solicit additional proposals from entities which have not responded  to help meet 

community anchor needs that aren’t met by existing applications.   

The State of Colorado reserves the right to apply for funding if it becomes apparent that the 

private and non‐profit sector are not adequately addressing the needs of the public through 

their applications.  It is strongly encouraged that potential applicants inform the State of their 

plans prior to submitting an application. .  Following the initial awards, the Governor’s Office 

will evaluate  coverage gaps  and why they were not addressed.  The state will then evaluate 

possible solutions and ideas for second‐round funding, which may include an application from 

the state itself.   

Additionally, the State of Colorado will apply for Broadband Data Improvement Act mapping 

funds that will ensure Colorado’s maps are updated to include the new requirements set forth 

by this initiative.    

Timeline and Process 

1. July 14, 2009 www.connectcolorado.org will be available on the Internet.   This website is dedicated to the Colorado’s broadband mapping project. 

 2. July 14, 2009 Application can be submitted for Broadband funding 

 3. On or before July 16, 2009 a release of Colorado’s priorities.  These priorities will allow 

applicants  to  ensure  their  proposal  is  aligned with  the  State’s  priorities  and  create  a coordinated process. 

 4. July 16, 2009 a map will be posted to www.colorado.gov/recovery showing the rural and 

remote areas of Colorado.  The definitions used are those contained within the rules of the federal programs. 

 5. July 16, 2009 a meeting will be held at the Old Supreme Court Chambers with streaming 

audio. Members  of  the  Public Utilities  Commission, Governor’s Office  of  Information Technology,  and  others will  be  on  hand  to  discuss  the  rules  and  answer  questions.  These meetings will occur weekly through August 13, 2009. 

 6. Colorado will release updated maps on July 21st, 30th and August 6th. 

  

7. August 14, 2009 applications are due for broadband funding.  

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8. 20 calendars after receipt of applications from the federal government, a list of Colorado projects will be prioritized and made publicly available.    It is unknown precisely when the states will receive this list.