Broadband Service Improvements for Our Foothills

Thank you to John Daley for coming up to speak with us and learn more about the challenges our area faces in terms of internet connectivity.

Residents describe the impact of poor broadband near Denver
By John Daley Apr 25, 2014

Colorado lawmakers are close to putting the finishing touches on a series of telecom reforms aimed in part at improving rural broadband, which has drawn complaints as being spotty, expensive or non-existent.

And lawmakers efforts can't come fast enough for many Coloradans, even those living close to Denver.

A few miles down the road in the town of Conifer, there’s a King Soopers grocery store, some restaurants, a gas station and some empty store fronts. Business leaders believe those store fronts are empty in part due to sketchy Internet access.

“It’s a huge deterrent to attracting new business," Executive Director of the Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce Susan Beams says. "I think tech businesses would be a perfect fit for our community, however we do not have the infrastructure to accommodate them.”

Conifer-based accountant Diana Paty is also frustrated by Internet connectivity. “Sometimes I will spend eight hours downloading to get a software program," Paty says. "Eight hours – yes – if it's a large software program.”

- See more at: http://www.cpr.org/news/story/residents ... nver#.dpuf

High Speed, broadband service over time could revitalize this depressed area........potential is great. Skills up here are marginal but skills can commute up from Denver......rust belt transplants can service the skilled.