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Council approves 10‑year Comcast cable franchise renewal with updated fees and insurance requirements
Summary
After a public hearing and staff presentation, Arvada approved a 10‑year renewal of Comcast’s cable franchise (CB26‑021). Key changes include switching PEG/access fees from a per‑subscriber model to 0.33% of monthly gross revenue, raising insurance minimums to $5 million per occurrence, and clarifying that franchise terms are subject to the city's police powers.
The Arvada City Council on July 21 approved a 10‑year renewal of the city’s cable franchise with Comcast of California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Inc. Assistant City Attorney Zach Wilweber presented the proposed ordinance and outlined several changes from the expired franchise.
Wilweber told council the prior franchise expired in July 2025 and the city had operated month‑to‑month while negotiating a replacement. Staff said the new agreement shifts PEG and access fee collection from a flat per‑subscriber charge to 0.33% of Comcast’s monthly gross revenue for cable services, a move intended to stabilize revenue as cable subscriptions fall and per‑subscriber charges decline. The proposed franchise also raises insurance requirements (for example, increasing the general commercial liability minimum from $1 million to $5 million per occurrence) and explicitly makes the franchise terms subject to the city’s police powers.
Wilweber noted several concessions to Comcast that reflect industry changes: the agreement removes an obligation for Comcast to provide cable service to every neighborhood (it remains a right to provide services) and adopts testing and operational references to current state and federal regulations rather than specific older technical standards. The minimum number of channels for basic service will be the greater of 100 or the minimum other Colorado jurisdictions receive; staff said that many comparable jurisdictions’ agreements will continue to secure higher channel minimums for much of the term.
One member of the public raised questions about insurance and contractor liability; outside counsel Ken Feldman said the franchise requires Comcast to ensure both its work and its contractors’ work and that the required insurance should cover damages caused by contractors. City staff noted Comcast has completed a near‑complete buildout in most neighborhoods, with one subdivision having previously opted out.
Following questions, Councilmember Davis moved to approve CB26‑021 on final reading; the ordinance passed on a 6–0 vote. During the meeting Davis recognized Ken Feldman for his years of service to the city as counsel.
