Last month the discussion topic at the League of Women Voters was Senate Bill 152, the Colorado law enacted in 2005 after heavy lobbying by the telecom companies.
The purpose of the legislation was to prevent local governments from providing broadband services to its residents, building broadband infrastructure where it’s lacking or where service is poor, or entering into any public-private partnership to provide improved broadband services.
In addition, the law also makes it illegal for governmental entities to provide their citizens with free high-speed wifi in public buildings like the county courthouse and libraries.
In November, county residents and the citizens of Dolores will be asked if they want to opt out of SB 152. There is no tax tied to the opt-out. Opting out will simply allow the county and town of Dolores to explore options for providing better broadband access and service to members of those communities. Cortez is not affected by this legislation because the city was providing broadband services before SB 152 was passed. Mancos opted out last spring.
I stated at the League meeting that since Cortez and Mancos are now exempt from SB 152 that it would not appear on the ballots of citizens living in those communities. I stand corrected. The opt-out of SB 152 will appear on all ballots because residents of Cortez and Mancos are also county residents and, as such, will have the opportunity to opt out of this restrictive legislation.
For more information on SB 152 or broadband, visit connect4.org
Karen Sheek
Cortez
Editor’s note: Karen Sheek is the mayor of Cortez.
