Saturday, October 14, 2017

County of Boulder 1C – Authorization to Provide Broadband Services

This ballot measure is almost identical to 2C on the city of Boulder’s 2014 ballot. A notable difference is that the city referenced its home rule authority while the county has statutory authority. In 2015 many city voters also approved a measure allowing Boulder Valley School District to lease excess capacity on its fiber optic networks. You can find background information for this ballot issue at the entry for 2014’s 2C and 2015’s 3A ballot issues.

Voters around the state, often with substantial majorities, have authorized dozens of local governments to provide broadband services. Now Boulder County is asking for the same permission. The county does not currently have any plans to create a “broadband utility” but wants the flexibility should they wish to explore the option in the future.

Recommendation: YES

Many Boulder County voters have seen this permission bill before at least twice for other jurisdictions. Voters should give the county the same permission that they gave the cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Superior and the Boulder Valley School District.

Website for the Yes side
No known website – Info on a supporting website appreciated.

Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.


Approved Ballot Language

County Question 1C (Authorization to Provide Broadband Services):
Without increasing taxes, shall Boulder County be authorized to provide high-speed Internet service (advanced service), telecommunications service, and/or cable television service, including any new and improved high bandwidth services based on future technologies, utilizing existing or new County-owned infrastructure or facilities, to schools, libraries, residents, businesses, nonprofit entities, and other users or subscribers of such services, either directly or indirectly, with public or private sector partners, as expressly permitted by Article 27, Title 29 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, entitled "Competition in Utility and Entertainment Services"?

Yes ___
No ___

See Resolution No. 2017-91 to put Question 1C to the voters
https://www.bouldercounty.org/government/county-ballot-issues/

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