Thirty Percent of Crowley County Residents to Gain Faster, Affordable Internet with Federal Funding

DENVER - Nearly one-third of Crowley County, Colorado residents will soon have high-speed internet access thanks to another federally funded broadband project. The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) awarded Capital Projects Fund (CPF) money to a new broadband project in Crowley County that will connect 1,753 of the 5,600 homes in Crowley to fiber. Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD) will receive the award and partner with SECOM, a provider in rural Colorado where there is limited high-speed internet access.

The SCEDD broadband project is potentially life-changing for Crowley County residents. In addition to connecting more than 1,700 homes, it will also connect 26 community anchor institutions. Connecting a community anchor institution, like a school, library or hospital, to broadband is crucial because it acts as a central hub that provides internet for the community, crucial to bridging the digital divide.

"Crowley County has tremendous potential for economic growth and the expansion of high-speed broadband is the shot in the arm that we need," said SCEDD Executive Director Leslie Mastroianni. "SCEDD's partnership with SECOM has proven to be a successful model for broadband implementation in our region and has resulted in an increased energy among local government leaders."

"The residents in Crowley County desperately need fiber broadband to participate in a modern economy; their options are very limited and this investment will make a positive impact for years to come," said Brandy Reitter, CBO Executive Director. "The Crowley County fiber project promises to foster growth and innovation in local businesses and schools."

The Crowley County project will start in January 2025, and SCEDD expects to offer high-speed internet service to these locations by December 2026.

Earlier this year, the CBO identified Crowley County as one of the highest areas of need for broadband funding based on updated coverage maps using the FCC National Broadband Map data. CPF is part of the pandemic relief funding managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Its purpose is to connect the homes that need it most after the pandemic revealed our need to connect from home.