• NEW Broadband Program Map available here
  • CPF Grant
    • Grant awarded to Pulse for Hidden Valley
  • BEAD Grant
    • Grant applications submitted October 2024
      • Connexion application for Fort Collins mobile home parks and multi-dwelling units
      • Pulse application for Masonville
      • County provided letters of support to Connexion, Pulse, Estes Park, Maverix, Conexon, Hilltop, and Vistabeam
    • Estimated Grant Project Announcement by March 2025
  • USDA Community Connect Grant
    • Grant awarded to Pulse for Big Thompson Canyon
  • NEW State & Local Dollars Grant
    • Public comment period closed on 12/6/24
    • First grant cycle expected to open end of 2025
  • Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with Fort Collins and Loveland are being updated to include new grant projects

GRANT PROGRAMS

PROJECTS

  • Broadband Equity, Advancement and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Program
    • Grantee(s): Connexion & Pulse
    • Successfully submitted grant applications. Waiting for grant awards ~March 2025
  • BEAD projects: (to be awarded)
    • Pulse: Masonville
    • Connexion: Fort Collins mobile home parks and multi-dwelling units
    • Status: Waiting for grant awards ~March 2025
  • Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Grant Program
    • Grantee: Pulse
    • Status: Grant awarded
  • Rist Canyon IRU Termination agreement signed by BOCC on 12/10, PVREA to return unused funds to the County
  • CPF project:
    • Pulse: Hidden Valley Estates
    • Status: RFP on the street for construction services
  • Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Grant Program
    • Grantee: Larimer County
    • Status: In Progress
  • DOLA Grant projects:
    • Wellington Middle Mile (aerial)
      • Evaluating feasibility due to significant cost increases
    • Masonville Middle Mile (underground)
  • USDA Community Connect Grant Program
    • Grantee: Pulse
    • Status: Grant awarded
  • Community Connect project:
    • Pulse: Big Thompson Canyon
    • Status: Grant agreement in progress
 
  • New Landfill Circuit:
    • Targeting Spring 2025 for completion of boring and substation negotiation/connectivity with PVREA
  • Pulse - closing out IGA projects:
    • Namaqua Hills - restoration complete, taking sign ups
    • 57th St & College - live, taking sign ups
    • Ptarmigan Hills - live, taking sign ups
  • Connexion - closing out IGA project:
    • JJ’s Corner - live, taking sign ups

BEAD UPDATES

COLLABORATION/PARTNERSHIPS

One of the most essential components in broadband planning is forming strong collaborative partnerships with neighboring communities and the organizations that serve them. Larimer County values the partnerships that it has with the entities listed below, and welcomes the opportunity to form others:

FAQs

  1. What is the difference between broadband and high speed internet?

    It is all about speed. High speed internet is constantly connected at "speeds below the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) definition of broadband, comparable to driving between 1 and 25 MPH. The FCC defines broadband as an internet connection that will download data at a minimum of 25 Mbps and upload speed of 3 Mbps, similar to traveling between 25 and 1,000 MPH.

  2. Will Larimer County provide me with faster internet?

    No, the County is not planning on becoming an internet provider. The exemption that voters approved to SB 152 will allow the County to explore and foster the best long-term internet options for communities.

  3. How can I help get faster internet in my area?

    Passing the exemption to SB 152 to enable Larimer County to be involved in broadband exploration and partnerships is a strong start. As the Larimer County Broadband Steering Committee engages in further efforts following the election and feasibility study recommendations are made, direction for this project and need for involvement will be more clearly defined. In the meantime, forward communication and thoughts for your community, business, organization and/or other organization to the Larimer Broadband program contact listed below. Also, keep apprised of new broadband developments for Larimer County in the news and on this web page.

  4. What if technology changes?

    Technology changes are inevitable. Exploring options is particularly important before technology changes, for Larimer County to be able to support communities in being proactive, rather than reactive to important developments in a responsible, practical, cost-efficient way, instead of relying on profit-driven decisions to abruptly adopt or neglect changes.

  5. Why is high speed internet a necessary utility?

    Much the same as electricity and telephone service were in the past, high speed internet has become an essential service for being successful in today's world. Economic vitality, health care, public safety, education and many more services are dependent on the ability to access high speed, reliable internet.

Contact Larimer County Broadband Program