Fort Collins voters to weigh in on broadband services

Fort Collins voters will decide Nov. 3 whether the city could play a role in providing residents and businesses with access to high-speed Internet connections.

Ballot Issue 2B asks whether the city may explore options for providing broadband and other telecommunication services. If the measure is approved, officials would research different models for delivering services through a city utility, including establishing partnerships with public and private entities.

Passage of the ballot issue is supported by the Fort Collins Citizens Broadband Committee. The measure does not have organized opposition.

Members of the broadband committee hope the city will decide to run fiber optic lines to every home and business in Fort Collins. The goal would be to have connections capable of handling 1 gigabit of data per second.

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A connection of that strength would allow consumers and companies to download and upload data at 10 to 100 times the speeds currently available through most commercial Internet providers, advocates say.

State law prohibits local governments from competing with private interests in providing broadband services. A provision of the law allows cities and counties to override its restriction if voters approve.

The city of Loveland has a similar measure on its Nov. 3 ballot.

Passage of the measure would not lock the city into creating a broadband utility. If it is approved and officials opt to create a broadband utility, another election would be needed to amend the city charter and create the entity.

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Kevin Duggan is a Coloradoan senior reporter covering local government. Follow him on Twitter, @coloradoan_dugg.