Commissioners approve $159,004 contribution to Littleton-led fiber project to extend county ring east

Arapahoe County commissioners authorized county staff to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Littleton for the next segment of a fiber ring that will connect county facilities from the administration complex east toward the sheriff’s office and outlying buildings.

Public Works staff said the Littleton-led construction will install 432 fiber strands along the corridor; the county’s share will be half of the new fiber installed on Littleton Boulevard, although the county is responsible for about 22% of the project’s net construction cost after accounting for a $200,000 in‑kind value for the county’s existing conduit under a railroad crossing. The county contribution shown in the IGA is $159,004.66.

Presenters told the board Littleton will manage construction and the city will be owner/operator of the boulevard fiber segment; the draft IGA requires a subsequent maintenance agreement to define long‑term repair and cost‑sharing responsibilities. Commissioners asked about repair cost examples; staff cited a recent contractor cut that cost approximately $12,000 to repair and said costs vary by damage.

Board members approved the contribution and authorization for the director to sign the IGA by consensus during the meeting; staff will finalize a maintenance IGA with Littleton before the project is placed in service.

Ending: County staff said they will work with Littleton on the maintenance agreement, confirm strand counts and handover arrangements, and provide periodic construction updates to the commission.