27 cities in Colorado said yes to letting their municipalities decide whether to offer broadband Internet to residents. Approximately 57 municipalities in the state are now on board. Data provided by Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
Coloradans want more choice in broadband Internet service.
Voters in 44 cities and counties overwhelmingly approved to allow their local government to decide whether to offer broadband Internet to residents. Essentially, citizens are opting out of , which was passed in 2005. The law restricted municipalities from using taxpayer dollars on building such expensive networks. But it did give residents the right to opt out via a vote.
The (listed below) join about a dozen municipalities that opted out in previous elections and past years.
Earlier this year, with 92 percent in favor. as well.
Last November, , including , Cherry Hills Village, Red Cliff, Wray, Yuma and the counties of Yuma, San Miguel and . in April 2014.
In 2013, voted in favor. in 2011.
Added up, 57 communities in Colorado have opted out of the restrictions and are in various stages of making up their own minds on whether to offer broadband. (Are any missing? Let us know!)
A handful of cities are already making good of the vote. The city of last year. While in its business district. Boulder began last spring.
Back in 2005, cable and Internet companies pushed heavily for the law to limit cities getting into Internet service. At the time, an official from Qwest, which is now CenturyLink, told The Rocky Mountain News, “I think it’s inappropriate for public tax dollars to be invested in competitive businesses. At minimum, taxpayers should have the opportunity” to vote on the matter,” said Steve Davis, Qwest senior vice president of public policy.
The results of Tuesday’s vote are provided by the :
