 Colorado ranks 25th in the Speed Matters 2009 survey with an average download speed of 5.3 mbps, just above the US average of 5.1 mbps. The state's Office of Information Technology (OIT) received a grant of $1.6 million through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for its Connect Colorado project. This aims to identify broadband service areas within the state.
The resulting report was published in December 2009 and showed that 97% of Colorado households had some form of high speed internet service. However, this is defined as being anything over 768 kbps downstream and so is unlikely to be fast enough for many users. The report also showed that 20% of households in 15 rural communities can't get broadband internet services. In certain remote areas, the unavailability of service from an ISP increases to 30%.
Availability maps were produced from data supplied by 56 of the 82 internet providers in the state. The maps cover provision of service through DSL, fiber optic cable as well as wireless internet access. Satellite access is not included but is said to be available throughout the state.
Problems are posed by Colorado's rugged mountains, the extent of vacation homes in resort towns and sparse populations in some areas. These are a deterrent to an internet provider and ensure that wifi is unlikely to be available here in the near future. The OIT has received a further $2.1 million from the ARRA program and plans to use this to flesh out the initial findings.
Located in the Rocky Mountain region, Colorado is well known for its magnificent scenery. It has more than 100 mountain peaks over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) and is the only state wholly above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). It is also one of only three states that have no natural borders, its boundaries being marked by latitude and longitude lines.
The effect of the mountains is that the climate is very variable, with extreme weather that includes fierce thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes. The state's economy is based on mining, agriculture and industry, with a concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries, some government agencies and the availability of significant energy resources.
Denver is the state capital, most populous city and a major financial center. The next largest cities are Colorado Springs, Aurora and Lakewood.
Cities in Colorado likely to have, or soon to receive, fiber optic cable internet services include Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Pueblo, Centennial and Boulder. Locations in CO with highest population counts will be targeted first by providers, though relatively high speeds can be achieved with dial-up or DSL through companies such as Netzero and Charter Communications Cable.
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Coverage Unlikely
