High-Speed Broadband Initiative

Spotlight_Small_Internet

June 2022 Update

During the June 8, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting the Board approved Resolution 22-74, a Master License Agreement with Highline Colorado, LLC. Over the past months, the Town and its consultant completed negotiations with Highline to enter into a non-exclusive master license agreement for fiber networks. The agreement includes requirements for placement of equipment in rights-of-way, permit requirements, and an Infrastructure and Permit Fee of 2%. With the approval of this agreement, Highline can now proceed with the final design for their symmetrical gigabit Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) network which will service Firestone residents and businesses. Highline anticipates beginning construction on the first phase during the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2023.

Background & More Information

In April of 2018 Firestone voters overwhelming supported Ballot Question 1 which today permits the community to consider (without interference) “…a variety of options to serve the broadband needs of residents, including pursuit of business partnerships with private companies to increase the community’s access to broadband services.”

Recognizing that access to reliable, reasonably priced high-speed broadband internet services is a priority for the long-term development and vitality of the community, the Board of Trustees launched the High-Speed Broadband Initiative in the fall of 2019 to explore a range of alternatives for promoting advanced broadband services. While the Board recognized there was no single solution to achieving our broadband objectives and there were no pre-determined conclusions, the Board did prioritize continued citizen engagement as a vital component of the Broadband Initiative.  Accordingly, the first community engagement meeting was conducted within less than two months of the Initiative’s kickoff.

As part of the Initiative, in December 2019 the Town issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Broadband Assessment and Feasibility Study to conduct an independent study for the purpose of providing strategic guidance in the planning of high-speed broadband connectivity actions that could be implemented by the Town as cost‐effectively as possible.   In February 2020, the Board awarded a consulting services agreement to conduct the Study.  Residential and business needs assessment surveys were advertised and completed and a Request for Information (RFI) for Enhanced Broadband Services was released in May of 2020.

On August 12, 2020, the Board of Trustees was presented with the Final Report which identified that the biggest issue facing Firestone is the lack of competition among broadband providers.   The Report’s top pro-active recommendation was for the Town to move forward with negotiations with an internet service provider (ISP) to establish a private Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) network.   

The Town of Firestone Board of Trustees has undertaken a High-Speed Broadband Initiative to explore options and opportunities to better connect our community with affordable and reliable internet access. Through this introductory step, it was our intent to explore a range of alternatives available for promoting advanced broadband services to Firestone citizens, businesses, and Town agencies.

There is no single solution to achieving our broadband objectives. There are no pre-determined conclusions. Nothing has been ruled in or out. In fact, thanks to Firestone voter’s overwhelming support of Ballot Question 1 in 2018, the community is now permitted to consider (without interference) “…a variety of options to serve the broadband needs of residents, including pursuit of business partnerships with private companies to increase the community’s access to broadband services.” 

The Town of Firestone Board of Trustees wants citizens to continue to be part of the broadband conversation. Once the community has been more fully engaged, we will be better positioned to identify objectives and solutions most suitable for Firestone.

Documents, Resources & More Information

If you have further questions about this project, please email broadband@firestoneco.gov.