Press Release

December 2, 2009

Colorado is one step closer to having quality, high-speed internet available to all citizens. The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) has released comprehensive maps depicting broadband availability across the state, the speeds at which service is provided, and the population density of unserved areas. The 2008 Senate Bill 215, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz and Representative Jim Riesberg, called for the creation of the broadband inventory, which serves as a starting point for developing effective broadband deployment and adoption strategies.

“This is an important advancement in the push for enhanced broadband services and adoption of a technology critical to economic development, heath, education, and civic engagement,” said Gov. Ritter. “Understanding where broadband is deployed today will enable us to make advancements in broadband tomorrow.”

The maps were developed by Connect Colorado, a subsidiary of Connected Nation, who collected the broadband provider data and developed an interactive web service for citizens to check broadband availability, locate providers in their area, and report data inaccuracies.

While the project found the vast majority of Colorado has basic broadband coverage, there are other important factors – such adequate speed and adoption – that contribute to a state’s “broadband fitness.” The project explored these areas, but OIT hopes to round out the work with a $2.1 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that it recently received from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The funding will enable OIT to continue its broadband data collection and mapping efforts and to help identify priority areas for activities to promote the deployment and use of broadband service.

For more information, visit www.colorado.gov/oit.

Denver, Colorado – The Governor’s Office of Information Technology has partnered with Connected Nation, a national 501(c)3, to launch a website for its comprehensive broadband mapping initiative titled Connect Colorado. The site is designed to assess current broadband availability across the state, highlighting those areas that are presently unserved by a broadband provider. The website (www.connectcolorado.org) allows for consumer feedback and broadband validation.

Current broadband subscribers can test the speed of their connections and describe how broadband has impacted their lives. For those who don’t currently have broadband access, the site offers visitors the ability to add their name and address to a secure database of households that would like to subscribe if given the opportunity. The information collected on the website will validate the broadband inventory maps created with broadband provider data. The inventory maps will inform Colorado’s next steps to deliver broadband to all residents across the state. The federal stimulus bill may be a potential source for funds to enhance broadband availability.

“Colorado’s economy depends on a strong technology infrastructure in every region of our state, and this website offers Colorado citizens the opportunity to be an essential part of the data collection process,” said Michael Locatis, State Chief Information Officer. “We hope that all citizens will contribute meaningful information.”

The feedback from the website will assist in shaping the broadband inventory maps set to be released in November 2009.

Colorado is one of several states working with Connected Nation to map service availability and support a state broadband expansion. Public-private partnerships have proven to be an effective model for expanding the availability of broadband and increasing computer literacy and Internet use. Through its extensive work, Connected Nation has proven that states and communities can realize a significant economic impact if broadband is universally available and is being adopted into homes at high rates.

Broadband infrastructure investments have shown to stimulate the economy and lead to job growth and are critical for the delivery of healthcare and education, civic engagement, and a host of other important areas.

Download the press release here.

Press Releases about Connect Colorado are coming soon!