High-Speed Broadband Initiative

In 2023, the Town was designated as a Broadband Ready Certified Community, recognized by the Colorado Broadband office for taking proactive steps to encourage broadband in Firestone.

Broadband Providers

• At the March 13, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved Resolution 24-35, a Master License Agreement with HyperFiber. 
• At the Board of Trustees meeting on May 8, 2024, the Board approved Resolution 24-52, a Master License Agreement with Intrepid. 
• Town staff continues to work with additional Broadband providers who desire to install networks in Firestone.

The Town currently has non-exclusive Agreements with Comcast, Ripple Fiber (formerly, HyperFiber), and Intrepid to install and provide Fiber Networks to Firestone customers.

More Information on Providers:

• Comcast
• Ripple Fiber (formerly, HyperFiber)
• Intrepid 

Background & More Information

In April of 2018, Firestone voters overwhelmingly supported Ballot Question 1, which today permits the community to consider (without interference) “…a variety of options to serve the broadband needs of residents, including the pursuit of business partnerships with private companies to increase the community’s access to broadband services.”

Recognizing that access to reliable, reasonably priced high-speed broadband internet services is a priority for the long-term development and vitality of the community, the Board of Trustees launched the High-Speed Broadband Initiative in the fall of 2019 to explore various alternatives for promoting advanced broadband services. While the Board recognized that there was no single solution to achieving our broadband objectives and that there were no predetermined conclusions, the Board did prioritize continued citizen engagement as a vital component of the Broadband Initiative.  Accordingly, the first community engagement meeting was conducted within less than two months of the Initiative’s kickoff.

As part of the Initiative, in December 2019, the Town issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Broadband Assessment and Feasibility Study. The study was conducted to provide strategic guidance on planning high-speed broadband connectivity actions that the Town could implement in a cost-effective manner.   In February 2020, the Board awarded a consulting services agreement to conduct the Study.  Residential and business needs assessment surveys were advertised and completed, and a Request for Information (RFI) for Enhanced Broadband Services was released in May 2020.

On August 12, 2020, the Board of Trustees was presented with the Final Report, which identified the lack of competition among broadband providers as the biggest issue facing Firestone.   The Report’s top proactive recommendation was for the Town to move forward with negotiations with an internet service provider (ISP) to establish a private Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.   

The Town of Firestone Board of Trustees has initiated a High-Speed Broadband Initiative to explore options and opportunities for enhancing community connectivity with affordable and reliable internet access. Through this introductory step, our intention was to explore a range of alternatives available for promoting advanced broadband services to Firestone citizens, businesses, and Town agencies.

There is no single solution to achieving our broadband objectives. There are no pre-determined conclusions. Nothing has been ruled in or out. Thanks to Firestone voters’ overwhelming support of Ballot Question 1 in 2018, the community is now permitted to consider (without interference) “…a variety of options to serve the broadband needs of residents, including the pursuit of business partnerships with private companies to increase the community’s access to broadband services.” 

The Town of Firestone Board of Trustees wants citizens to continue participating in the broadband conversation. Once the community has been more fully engaged, we will be better positioned to identify objectives and solutions most suitable for Firestone.

Documents, Resources & More Information

• April 2, 2018: Approved Ballot Question 
• Presentation from August 21, 2019
• Presentation from October 22, 2019
• August 12, 2020 Broadband Assessment & Feasibility Study  Final Report & Recommendations
• August 12, 2020 Broadband Assessment & Feasibility Study Final Report – Final Presentation