Park County Referendum 1A

REFERENDUM 1A
WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, SHALL THE CITIZENS OF PARK COUNTY, COLORADO, RE-ESTABLISH THEIR COUNTY'S AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ALL SERVICES RESTRICTED SINCE 2005 BY TITLE 29, ARTICLE 27 OF THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES, DESCRIBED AS "ADVANCED SERVICES," "TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES," AND "CABLE TELEVISION SERVICES," INCLUDING ANY NEW AND IMPROVED HIGH BANDWIDTH SERVICES BASED ON FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES, UTILIZING COMMUNITY OWNED INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXISTING FIBER OPTIC NETWORK, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, TO POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS THAT MAY INCLUDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL USERS WITHIN THE COUNTY, ANY LIMITATION CONTAINED IN SAID TITLE 29, ARTICLE 27 NOTWITHSTANDING?
YES NO

Any thoughts?

Here is a link Colorado Revised Statutes the Title 29 Article 27 (portion). See link for complete text.
www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/

29-27-101. Legislative declaration



(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of this state to ensure that cable television service, telecommunications service, and high speed internet access, otherwise known as advanced service, are each provided within a consistent, comprehensive, and nondiscriminatory federal, state, and local government framework.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:

(a) There is a need for statewide uniformity in the regulation of all public and private entities that provide cable television service, telecommunications service, and advanced service.

(b) Municipal ordinances, rules, and other regulations governing the provision of cable television service, telecommunications service, and advanced service by a local government impact persons living outside the municipality.

(c) Regulating the provision of cable television service, telecommunications service, and advanced service by a local government is a matter of statewide concern.


29-27-103. Limitations on providing cable television, telecommunications, and advanced services
Several listed as to what local government may not do. This refers to what it may do.

(3) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the authority of a local government to lease to a private provider physical space in or on its property for the placement of equipment or facilities the private provider uses to provide cable television, telecommunications, or advanced services.

My question is the state sufficiently providing or would the county do better?

Even though the Referendum says without increasing taxes I don't have enough information to make an informed decision for the long term. While I prefer more control at the local level for some things, I am not altogether convinced that Park County can do it better. The Statute already provides that the county may lease to a private provider.

I would rather see the County spend its time on fixing roads than telecommunications. If it was profitable and viable wouldn't private enterprise be falling all over itself to provide a multitude of services? Even though there isn't any increase in taxes now, will there be in the future?

After seeing the fiasco with the Bailey Cell Tower which was spearheaded by Commissioner Brazzell in his campaign for Commissioner I am not sure the Commissioners have the capability to manage things. Are there currently lawsuits pending regarding the Cell Tower? Will there be future ones if it indeed must access through a lot in Elk Horn acres to access in violation of covenants? Did the Commissioners check any of this before proceeding?

Perhaps I am not seeing the entire pic? Any thoughts?