Broadband Review Process
Colorado's Broadband Application Review Process
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers tremendous opportunities to expand high-speed internet access across Colorado and the country. A total of $7.2 billion in grants and loans is available through the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The NTIA is offering $4.7 billion with a 20 percent match requirement through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and RUS is offering $2.5 billion through the Broadband Improvement Program (BIP). The BTOP program gives each state Governor the opportunity to comment on how applications fit into their respective state priorities.
Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. and his staff have worked hard to help Colorado benefit from these competitive funds. These programs will increase broadband infrastructure, create wider access to high-speed internet, create jobs, promote education, healthcare and public safety. Most importantly, the Recovery Act establishes a new way for businesses to finance the installation of broadband and help more communities have the same level of high-speed internet access as in metropolitan areas. These programs also present challenges because of the tight timelines for reviewing applications, determining which ones present the most value to Colorado and the people who live and work in this great state, and submitting comments.
The following information outlines the steps Colorado is taking to review the applications submitted on behalf of in-state and out-of-state companies. This process reflects the most that can be achieved given the limited time and resources.
- All BTOP grant requests submitted by Colorado companies affecting Colorado¿s territory will be reviewed
- All grant requests submitted by out-of-state companies affecting Colorado's territory and containing an executive summary as of Monday, October 5, 2009 will be reviewed. We will use the information available at www.broadbandusa.gov. If an out-of-state company has elected not to post an executive summary, it will be excluded from our review and no comments will be given about that application.
- A panel established by the Governor's Office will review the applications to see if they meet one or more of the priorities established in the Colorado Broadband Framework and published on July 16, 2009.
- For both in-state Company and out-of-state company applications that are found to meet the Colorado Broadband Framework priorities, additional information may be sought.
- Based on the information available, collected and reviewed, comments will be submitted to the NTIA for grant requests that appear most closely aligned with the Colorado Broadband Framework priorities.
- Applicants are discouraged from contacting the Governor's Office to ensure that the review team is not unduly swayed. However, applicants may be contacted if more information is needed.
- The state comments will be submitted to NTIA no later than Oct. 14. Information about the comments will be posted by that date on this website.
These comments will be considered by the NTIA as it makes final award determinations. It is important to note though that final award decisions are not made by the state. The NTIA will follow an extensive 3-step review process which addresses all the criteria established in the Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA).
For questions related to the process, please contact John D. Conley at jconley@www.colorado.gov.