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Pitkin County authorizes application for Colorado broadband funds to bring fiber to new dispatch center
Summary
Pitkin County authorized the chair to apply for Colorado Broadband Office funds to connect Station 42 (new dispatch center) with middle‑mile fiber, noting the grant requires a minimum 25% local match and would improve redundancy for 911 operations. Staff estimated a county exposure of roughly $230,000–$300,000 for the station link if awarded.
Pitkin County commissioners on June 10 authorized the chair to submit a grant application to the Colorado Broadband Office for the Advanced Colorado Broadband program, aiming to bring dedicated middle‑mile fiber to the county’s new dispatch center at Roaring Fork Fire Station 42.
Telecom staff outlined the grant opportunity: the state has about $27.4 million available for projects that strengthen middle‑mile connections, support community anchor institutions and improve redundancy for public‑safety communications. The program prioritizes fiber‑optic middle‑mile projects that enable last‑mile service later.
"This grant requires at minimum 25% matching funds," said Drew, Pitkin County telecommunications staff, describing the financing test. "Every dollar we spend equates to $4 in actual action to implement our project," he added, arguing the county had a competitive, partnership‑ready route leveraging existing conduit and local partners.
Project details and county exposure County staff proposed to connect Station 42 to the Holy Cross fiber backbone using a mix of leased conduit and short bores, pole make‑ready and a new fiber line roughly 3,300 feet to the building. Preliminary make‑ready work on three poles was estimated at roughly $60,000–$80,000; overall station‑link cost estimates have ranged from $230,000 to $300,000 depending on design choices and contingencies. The grant is reimbursement‑based, which means the county would need to be prepared to forward funds and then seek reimbursement if awarded.
Benefits cited Staff and public‑safety officials said fiber to Station 42 would provide dedicated, county‑owned dark fiber for redundancy, higher bandwidth (multi‑gigabit capacity) and more resilient 911 dispatch operations compared with the currently contracted Comcast circuit and microwave links. County officials said Comcast is planning a paid one‑gig circuit for the site, but county‑owned fiber would provide additional resiliency and the ability to connect other providers.
Board action The board voted to authorize the chair to sign and submit the state broadband grant application and, if awarded, sign the resulting agreement. Commissioners discussed cost‑sharing opportunities with neighboring jurisdictions and public partners and asked staff to pursue federal funding options as well.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 869; topfinish SEG 1844
