Custer County approves Visionary Broadband tower despite concerns it could mark areas as 'served' for federal grants

Custer County commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 8 to approve a special-use permit allowing Visionary Broadband to replace an aging communications tower and build a new tower at the Sangre de Cristo (Kettle) substation.

Brian Shepherd, vice president of network expansion at Visionary Broadband, told the board the replacement would modernize equipment, extend the existing roughly 5–6 mile coverage footprint and ‘‘allow us to reach a 100 new residences that right now don't have service other than satellite’’ while enabling upgrades for about 800 current customers. Shepherd said Visionary has a signed lease with the substation owner and that the Riggs family, which hosts the existing tower on private farmland, wants the old structure removed.

The project drew sustained technical and policy questioning from commissioners and other providers about backhaul, redundancy and federal grant rules. Eric Rupleski, president of Hilltop Broadband, said his company would remain neutral on the permit but emphasized the county’s multiyear public-private partnership to bring fiber to town centers. Mark Carmel, a consultant to the towns and county, urged caution: he warned that if the tower provides wireless service that meets federal "served" thresholds the same locations could be ruled ineligible for future fiber grant funding.

Commissioners and presenters referenced federal and state broadband programs and agencies throughout the hearing. Speakers cited BEAD awards and NTIA program rules (including the 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up service threshold) as a key factor determining whether a household is considered "served." Visionary and Hilltop representatives said much of the BEAD funding for the towns has already been awarded and that awarded fiber projects will proceed; Carmel and others argued that adding wireless coverage before those projects are fully implemented could preclude later funding for fiber to the outskirts.

Technical details discussed at length included the project’s backhaul plan — Visionary said it uses both fiber purchased from Lumen (CenturyLink) and microwave (wireless) backhaul for redundancy — and the speed and resilience differences between fiber and fixed wireless. Shepherd said microwave can be upgraded (he cited examples of 10 Gpbs microwave backhaul in other communities) and noted a realistic construction timeline: the tower could be built in roughly three to four weeks if permitted, though winter weather could delay concrete work and full activation.

Cost and scope of the county’s larger fiber ambitions were also part of the debate. Carmel said early fiber cost estimates of about $15 million rose after COVID to roughly $30–40 million, while noting BEAD/other grant programs have ceilings and strict cost-per-passing metrics that shaped awards. Several participants noted satellite options (SpaceX, Amazon) and smaller fixed wireless awards as alternative coverage methods for peripheral areas.

After public comment and a period for supporters and skeptics to speak, a commissioner moved to approve the Visionary Broadband special-use permit and the board took a voice vote. The motion carried unanimously; commissioners vocalized "aye" and the chair adjourned the special hearing shortly afterward.

Votes at a glance: Visionary Broadband special-use permit — motion passed by unanimous voice vote; recorded roll call showed all present commissioners voting in favor.

What’s next: Visionary said it is prepared to start construction upon permit issuance and will coordinate backhaul upgrades and equipment migration. County officials and providers indicated they will continue pursuing middle‑mile redundancy and potential state programs to improve long‑term resiliency.

Quotes (attributed): "If we replace this tower and expand it, we will be able to reach a 100 new residences that right now don't have service other than satellite service," Brian Shepherd, Visionary Broadband. "I still believe that the fiber solution, a redundant fiber solution, is a preferred option," Mark Carmel, consultant to the towns and county. "We have both a wireless backhaul infrastructure and a fiber-based infrastructure… so we essentially have redundant backhaul for our current wireless service," Brian Shepherd, Visionary Broadband.

Ending note: The board approved the permit with the stated goal of improving service for affected residents; officials and providers said they will continue work to secure middle‑mile redundancy and monitor how federal/state programs and coverage designations affect future funding opportunities.