On Tuesday, November 8, Pueblo voters have a great opportunity to enable our city to work with Internet service providers, local educators and others to expand broadband Internet service throughout the city. The start of this critically important expansion can be accomplished simply by voting “YES on 2A” – the local city ordinance on the ballot allowing the City of Pueblo to legally commit to this expansion. The many reasons to support “YES on 2A” follow.
In order to be more competitive in today’s economy, communities nationwide have become increasingly dependent on reliable Internet access – especially high-capacity (“broadband”) Internet access. ) – for things such as: robust business development and operations, meaningful educational access at all levels, and citizen participation in various aspects of life.
The availability of dynamic and reliable broadband services has become a modern necessity that often enhances the attractiveness of a community. Powerful broadband access provides connectivity for: online education and distance learning opportunities; online banking, bill payment and shopping services; employees who can work from home; and patients who can practice telemedicine with their doctor.
In short, broadband has become so critical, especially for businesses, that many see it as basic infrastructure and a need for modern public services, for all citizens – on par with roads, supply systems water and energy networks.
Unfortunately, it is painfully obvious that many areas of Pueblo have inadequate internet connectivity. The reasons vary, but the reality is that many providers are simply economically unable, or simply unwilling, to properly connect all of Pueblo, which puts us at an economic disadvantage compared to many other cities and towns in Colorado, not to mention everything the country. .
In fact, in a recent survey, of all cities, towns, etc., across the country, Pueblo was found to be the 82n/a The worst itcommunity in America for wireline broadband access [See the NDIA (“National Digital Inclusion Alliance”) article on “Worst Connected Cities 2019,” digitalinclusion.org/worst-connected-cities-2019/].
Moreover, the recent pandemic has further demonstrated the critical importance of high-speed internet to make society work. The unfair specter of some of our children having to access the internet on their way to a McDonald’s or library parking lot to access their classes (or not being able to access classes at all due to a complete lack of Internet access) was deplorable.
We’re better than that, Pueblo. Therefore, we have to do something about it. We must vote “YES on 2A” in order to allow the city to extend broadband services to Pueblo.
Mayor Gradisar and all the forward-thinking members of the Pueblo City Council understand the very acute need here. By putting Proposition 2A on the ballot, they want the city to be able to expand broadband to Pueblo. This type of allocation by cities is certainly not unique, nor unprecedented. In recent years, a growing number of local governments have begun to consider investing public funds in improving broadband access in order to attract Internet service providers and enhance economic development ( see map below).
But, in coloradoone of the biggest obstacles to this is a state law passed in 2005, which was called “Senate Bill (SB) 152” (codified as Section 27 of Title 29, CRS).
“SB 152” prohibits most uses of municipal or county money for infrastructure to improve local broadband service without first passing a vote of the people. In recent years, more than 100 municipalities and counties in Colorado have put measures on the ballot to override SB 152 prohibitions.
These measures have passed easily in virtually every jurisdiction in Colorado – with support from citizens who are frustrated and want quick action on expanding broadband service in their communities. We should follow suit in Pueblo entering the 21st Century and voting YES on 2A; and thus allow Pueblo to “opt out” of the overly restrictive and unnecessary statutory prohibitions of SB 152.
It is important to understand that opting out of SB 152 by voting “YES on 2A” would NOT cost the city, local ratepayers, or city money or funds. Instead, a YES vote on 2A simply removes the existing ban on SB 152 in Pueblo from using public funds, in the future, should the city ever decide to provide more broadband service to Pueblo and allow the city to explore and develop local plans for our community. . So, it bears repeating, if in the future Pueblo decides to invest public funds in broadband expansion, the city, of course, would still have to follow its own budget spending guidelines and restrictions for this TO DO.
But, a “YES on 2A” vote on Nov. 8 requires no expense from the City of Pueblo, or Pueblo ratepayers. Rather, a successful “YES to 2A” vote would simply pave the way for the city to engage in broadband investments and strategic partnerships with others in the future, if and when the city ever should decide to do so.
So why is “YES on 2A” so important? To have a strong economy, Pueblo must have access to quality high-speed Internet service. Broadband availability is already affecting where businesses are located, where travelers visit and where people choose to live. The economic and social importance of access to high-speed, high-quality broadband Internet services will only increase over time. Having access to top-notch broadband services in Pueblo would help keep our schools, businesses, and homes competitive in our region and nationally.
Pueblo simply needs to have access to broadband to be economically competitive; but SB 152 took away the right to directly or indirectly provide broadband. Voting “YES on 2A” is the only way for Pueblo to take back the right that SB 152 took away from us. We can either choose to ignore the future or choose to embrace it boldly. Voting “YES on 2A,” which would allow our city to opt out of SB 152, is the critical first step for Pueblo to move forward.
Fred Galves is the President’s Special Assistant for Community Engagement at Colorado Statue University Pueblo. He is also a lawyer and a professor of law. Galves graduated from Harvard Law School and was born and raised in Pueblo; he graduated from South High School in 1979.
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