GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Voters will decide today whether the city should pursue expansion of its fiber-optic network.

A mail-ballot question would authorize the city to provide Internet, telephone and cable television service. It’s a first step toward a proposal to sell those services directly to homes through fiber-optic cables.

But a yes vote doesn’t mean the city has to proceed. A second vote would be required later to authorize the city to go into an estimated $12 million debt. The city says user fees on the services — and not taxes — will be used to repay the debt.
The proposal would expand the fiber-optic infrastructure installed in 2002 for the Community Broadband Network. Currently, it directly connects only commercial customers in certain areas to fiber-optics. The current network has lost about $200,000 a year for the past three years.

Supporters say the expansion will allow the network to succeed financially while offering consumers better services and attracting more businesses to the city. Critics worry the expansion might fail financially and taxpayers would foot the bill.

Ballots were mailed out March 31 and must be returned to City Hall by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Visit www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us for more information.

Contact Pete Fowler: 384-9121
pfowler@postindependent.com




Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO