“When is my broadband coming?” Colorado’s plan to connect rural communities

Broadband isn't just about infrastructure; it's about human equity. Sitting down at the Connected America Conference, Colorado Broadband Director Brandy Reitter explains the harsh realities of closing the Digital Divide. 

From mountain construction challenges and BEAD funding to AI opportunities and workforce shortages, Reitter breaks down exactly what it takes to bring reliable internet to rural Colorado—proving why high-speed access is about much more than just laying fiber.

Recommended links:

Brandy Reitter LinkedIn

Colorado Broadband Office website

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:08):

On this episode of Connected Nation, I talk with the executive director of Colorado's broadband office. We discuss Colorado's connectivity plans including its approach to AI, workforce development, and rural broadband. Plus, we asked when we could actually see the first shovels in the ground. I'm Jessica Denson and this is Connected Nation.

We're at day two of Connected America taking place in Dallas, Texas and I am now with Brandy Reitter, who is the executive director of the Colorado Broadband Office. Thank you so much, Brandy, for joining us today.

Brandy Reitter (00:46):

Thank you, Jessica. It's great to be here.

Jessica Denson (00:48):

Yeah. Uh, I got to meet you last night when they did a little bar <laugh> crawl a little fun for everybody out at the restaurants and, um, I really appreciate you showing up today <laugh> when I'd asked you to come. Um, how, how has the conference been for you so far?

Brandy Reitter (01:02):

The conference has been great. I mean, I think it's a great combination of, you know, subject matter experts, vendors, um, you know, ISPs, state broadband offices, of course. Uh-huh <affirmative>. Um, all the folks that are, uh, really critical for making sure that the broadband ecosystem is vibrant and, and, and does its job by connecting America.

Jessica Denson (01:20):

Yeah. Um, is it great to see other people that have a similar role to you? 'Cause there's not many of you. There's only 50, 55 in the, in the whole world that are at that level at the state office. Is it, do you guys share some, um, secrets or challenges and stuff? Do you guys talk?

Brandy Reitter (01:37):

Yeah, we do actually. I think these, you know, especially, uh, America connected among other conferences, like, it's really great to see my colleagues. There's, there's actually 56 states and territories. Mm-hmm. Um, kind of a, you know, a talking point that the NTIM has said over the years, but there's not many of us, but we, we definitely, uh, you know, power numbers. We pack a really great punch, um, and, and, and punching out the digital divide. Um, and, you know, our leadership is, is responsible for directing billions of dollars to industry, local governments, nonprofits to really make a difference in, in America and, and rural, and rural communities specifically.

So it's great. We share secrets. I don't know if we share secrets because when you're a public sector employee, nothing's really secret. <laugh> But we, we definitely share best practices. Uh-huh. I think we're all on this journey together.

(02:22):

It's, it's a, it's a new journey for, for states and it's been really great to have the camaraderie, the best practices, what worked, what didn't work. Mm-hmm. Um, and, uh, and, and incorporate that into our own states. Every state and territory is different, which I love. I love hearing what's going on in Texas or like California or Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, my own state and it's just really cool to see how states are tackling, um, the digital divide, um, specifically tailored to, to the people that they're serving. So it's really good to connect with everybody here.

Jessica Denson (02:54):

Yeah. And with the Bead Money, there's really this effort to connect all of the US. So yeah, working together is and talking to each other is great. So, um, you mentioned the NTIA. There's a lot of NTIA representatives here just for the, the, the sake of our audience, they know that I've noticed that they've been really talking to all the state broadband directors. You get, it seems like there's a good relationship there. Am I right on that or is it kind of a, a give and take?

Brandy Reitter (03:17):

You know, it's a good relationship with, with give and take. Uh-huh. So to me it's a litle bit of both. Um, because the only way you're going to have a good relationship with, um, the states, um, if you're the NTIA is to really, really collaborate. Um, you know, this journey for them is brand new as well. Yeah. You know, they've never, they've never been in the, in a, in a position to really, um, make this, make these types of grant awards. I mean, it's pretty historic. And so we're all kind of learning together. Mm-hmm.

And so it's been a really good relationship. It's been dynamic. Um, it hasn't, it's not without, you know, it's, um, you know, uh, challenges, but it also has, we've also, um, accomplished a lot of really great things and we've uncovered a lot of opportunities that we didn't really know existed by working together.

(04:01):

Mm-hmm. Broadband's very challenging. It is. Role broadband is very challenging. So I would say it's been a very dynamic, changing relationship, um, rooted in, in a lot of collaboration over the past couple years.

Jessica Denson (04:12):

Uh, I think our audience will be glad to hear that too. Yeah.

Brandy Reitter (04:15):

'Cause

Jessica Denson (04:15):

You, you want people talking. <laugh> That's, that's what we want. <laugh> So that's how things get done. So, uh, let's talk about, let's zoom in on Colorado specifically. How are things ... How would you define the broadband landscape there? Um, we've, we're in, just so our audience knows we're in the middle of the vendor hall, so there's some announcements going on, but we're gonna continue on. Um, but for what's, how would you define the broadband landscape there? Some of the challenges and some of the opportunities that you see?

Brandy Reitter (04:42):

Yeah, you know, uh, Colorado is really unique, um, in its topography and geography. And I know a lot of states have similar challenges, um, and you know, it's been ... The reason why locations have been left behind is because of just really, really challenging construction dynamics, um, given just with rural broadband in general. I would say that Colorado is a very technology forward, uh, state. I mean, we are, we are the technology hub, you know, in, in, in, in that western region there, um, between Kansas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, where we're a leader in that space.

So our ecosystem before all of the influx of the federal funds for technology broadband, um, emerging technologies was really solid in its foundation. So everything I feel like I'm really fortunate as a director of the broadband office to have that sort of, uh, technology infrastructure set up prior to, to, to, um, implementing these programs because I see myself as, as a, as ... I see myself as, uh, I guess the, the person that brings resources to community so they can take advantage of our, our, our technology scene.

(05:51):

Um, and so I don't want rural Colorado to be excluded from that. So my work compliments the larger strategies the states engaged in to, to, um, to facilitate and adopt emerging technology, which broadband is the foundation for. So it feels pretty special to me that the work that we're doing can be leveraged by several other public sector and private sector partners to, to, um, to expand digital service across Colorado.

And so, um, our state's in a great place. We had a broadband office before the NTIA came in with their money and, and the, and, um, the treasury. So we had a really solid foundation, um, policies, uh, administrative infrastructure. We had a longstanding grant program. Mm-hmm. So for me, everything that I've experienced over the last four and a half years has, um, we're, we're actually leveraging and benefiting from that solid foundation in Colorado

Jessica Denson (06:41):

Yeah, that's good. A lot of, uh, a lot of states didn't, didn't have that benefit where they had already had an office. Some of them had to stand it up when BEAD came. So that is a great point. Uh, where, speaking of BEAD, where is Colorado's plan right now? Has it gotten approval yet or just where is it at this moment in time? And again, this is April. Yeah.

Brandy Reitter (07:02):

So

Jessica Denson (07:02):

...

Brandy Reitter (07:03):

Well, that's, uh, that's the, uh, 42 billion dollar question. <laugh> Where are all the states at with their, uh, bead planning and proposal? So Colorado has been fully approved by the NTIA. Uh, and NIST. We were approved back in January from NIST and after that we were able to, um, start extending our grant agreements to industry and, and providers, uh, you know, public and private to, uh, start implementing their beat plans.

So, uh, our providers have until July 20th to execute those agreements and so we're, we're starting ... So we, we've rolled those out, providers are looking at them, um, we're answering questions, we're receiving paperwork that'll, um, eventually lead to executing those contracts. Mm-hmm. I know a lot of our providers are very excited. Uh, I know we are- Yeah. ... because we want people connected and we've waited a really long time to do it.

(07:52):

And so, um, that's where we are with the state's program. So hopefully, hopefully we'll wrap all this up by the end of the summer and, and, and the beat will be off to the races and, and, and doing good things in our states.

Jessica Denson (08:02):

So potentially, not to put words in your mouth, but potentially you could start to have the first shovels in the ground, so to speak, by fall or potentially or <laugh>.

Brandy Reitter (08:13):

You know, going back to how Colorado is unique and special- Uh-huh <affirmative>. ... in many, many amazing ways, um, it wasn't so case, it wasn't the case this year because it didn't really snow and the ground didn't really freeze like it normally does. Uh, but typically in the fall, the snow starts flying.

Jessica Denson (08:31):

Oh, so

Brandy Reitter (08:31):

The ground is

Jessica Denson (08:32):

Too frozen to-

Brandy Reitter (08:33):

Yeah, so we're probably looking at shovels in the ground for many of those projects, um, next spring, so 2027. Well, we, we'll have some success because obviously we have, you know, um, areas that stay a little warmer, but we're, we're kind of bookended by, you know, the, the winter season. So we'll see a lot of those dollars out probably next summer, next spring. That's

Jessica Denson (08:53):

Exciting though. Yeah. 'Cause that's, that's, there's finally, you see it on the horizon, it's coming.

Brandy Reitter (08:58):

Yeah.

Jessica Denson (08:59):

Yeah. Yeah. Especially since we had this, the stop, the stoppage a little bit on bead where things were, you know, new administration comes in, they rethink things last year. So, uh, it's nice to see things moving forward <laugh>. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, what about the non-deployment funds that are still on the table? Uh, does, are, does Colorado have a position on that or are you just waiting to hear from NTIA?

Brandy Reitter (09:22):

Well, we definitely have a position on our non-deployment money. I mean, I think, you know, we saved a lot of money and the benefit of the bargain, so, you know, it definitely achieved the objectives by the NTIA last year. Um, you know, the funding that was allocated to, to Colorado, uh, you know, is statutorily ours. <laugh> And so we would like to use the rest of it on, um, to drive adoption, because I've said this many times and there's no mystery here.

You can build a lot of infrastructure, but if people don't have the resources to adopt the infrastructure, the internet, you know, it, it's, it's not as effective as a program. So, you know, there's a couple of positions that we have really kind of supported and elevated when we were asked what we wanted- Uh-huh <affirmative>. ... by the NTIA, you know, workforce development for me has always been deployment.

(10:08):

It's never been a non-deployment thing for us. We need qualified workforce to support these builds. Um, and so to me, those two things go hand in hand. It is not too late for workforce development ever in my book. Yeah. Um, because it's ongoing. There's shortages across every industry, across every state and the money that we can, any money we can invest to support builds is a good thing. Obviously, Middle Mile, I know that's a ... Actually, that's wildly popular.

Right. And it's more of an, it's more of a, a infrastructure request, but we still have a divide. Like we're BEAD, you know, it's, it's not going to connect every single American the way we would love for it to be. So what are we doing to make sure we continue to make those investments so people don't get left behind? Middle Mile's one of them.

(10:58):

Uh, and then also, you know, how are we going to deal with defaults and true up and reconciliation of BSLs that ultimately don't necessarily get into BEAD because things change. Yeah. I mean, this happens in our state broadband program all the time. It's like ISPs are like, "Yes, I can do this project, but I'm, I, I need to remove a couple of BSLs to make it work."

And, and it's just the changing dynamics with supply chain operations, you have to be flexible there. So what are we doing to leverage some of that money to make sure that we continue to make those investments and pick up those BSLs so they are served?

Jessica Denson (11:31):

And for you, how big is the broadband office? Is it about <laugh> we have another panel in the background? Uh, how as big is the broadband office? Is it something where you guys are working with partners for compliance and stuff to make sure things are done well or what is your plan for that?

Brandy Reitter (11:46):

Yeah, we have about 14, uh, FTE, um, people working in our office and, uh, they support different functions, grant making, compliance, finances, contracting, legal, um, and then program, program related, uh, activities. And so we have about 14 people and, uh, we scale up and down based on what we need, um, and the changing dynamics of our programs. And then we use, uh, we use a couple of consultants, not many. We're not, we're not really, we're not a broadband office that kind of farmed everything out.

Jessica Denson (12:19):

Uh-huh

Brandy Reitter (12:19):

<affirmative>. Uh, I kind of, I'm of the mind, I, my approach to programming and implementation is as much as you can keep in house to be closer to the work and the results, I, you know, it feels like, I don't know, it's a comfortable place for me. I mean, I might be a control freak, I don't know. <laugh> There's, there's a couple, quality control, I guess- Yeah. ... not control free quality control. Um, but we do, we do leverage a few consultants, um, especially in the BEAD program.

We had to really scale that up using consultants, but on an average, on an average day in the broadband office we have about 14 people, um, and, uh, and, and, and on compliance, uh, vendor that helps us go out in the field and, and review network builds and stow.

Jessica Denson (13:00):

So what is an average day like for you as the executive director of the broadband office? Just, is it all over the place? It's different every day or is, do you have like an average day?

Brandy Reitter (13:11):

You know what, um, I do have an average day. Uh, I wouldn't say it's all over the place. It is different every day. I think, um, for me, I'm, I'm usually engaged in a lot of partnership meetings to make sure that, you know, we, we're collaborating with, you know, leaders in the field but also in the state government too. There's a lot of, uh, like cross-sectional partnership that we, that we engage in with other agencies.

Um, I review a lot of policy. I keep track of a lot of policy that's happening at the state. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. We are in our general se- uh, general assembly session right now, so I'm always kind of keeping my eye on things at the feds. Um, so I do a lot of that and then also I review, uh, grant guidelines, compliance guidelines, documents. I send more e- I send a ton of email. <laugh>

(14:03):

Um, and I, and it's really just responding to the public, you know, what, what's going on. And obviously, you know, Colorado's a though leader in a, in a lot of spaces, um, for national broadband grant making and policy. And so I participate in a lot of like national, uh, national conversations with my state, with my colleagues, other state broadband offices. So always trying to help out, um, that way as well. So it's, it's different.

A lot of events you have to go to as well, which I love. Uh-huh <affirmative>. Um, I'm one of those broadband directors that if I can be out with people and stakeholders, that's, that's my favorite place to be. So, um, but yeah, we do a lot of that. Um, and my days are very different, but every day is really rewarding.

Jessica Denson (14:43):

That, it does sound rewarding and it's, I think it's wonderful and you are right. Colorado is seen as a leader in this industry. Um, mountain connects there every year, it's, and it's one that most people in this industry don't want to miss because so much is happening in Colorado. So just giving you your flowers, as the kids say. <laugh> Um, and you mentioned stakeholders. What are you hearing from, uh, the people of Colorado?

Those, what are their, are they very similar issues as you see, you hear from other parts of the country? Um, what are they really wanting? What are they hoping for? What are they telling you about the, the state of things right now?

Brandy Reitter (15:20):

Yeah, you know, I think, um, Colorado isn't unique in what we're hearing from stakeholders. You know, I think the one thing that comes up all the time is, where is my broadband? Yeah. You know, I don't have it. You said you were going to give it to us. Like we passed this legislation years ago, where is the money to fund my community? And, um, and so we still hear that a lot. Um, I do think things have changed dramatically.

I do think the private sector has invested in areas of Colorado that we didn't have to. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And the maps have changed with the FCC. We're, we're covering more, more locations. So it is getting better, um, but there's still a lot of people that are left behind and we, and we, we hear regularly about it. Um, and so, you know, we, we have a lot of work to do.

(16:05):

We still have to, I feel like we still have to prove ourselves-

Jessica Denson (16:07):

Yeah. ...

Brandy Reitter (16:08):

To, to, to our constituents, but, you know, it, it's on the way, it's coming. It just, you know, government's a slow burn sometimes and, you know, these things take a lot of time. Um, they require a lot of scrutiny to make sure they get done right, but we're, we're gonna make it happen over the next couple years for, for Colorado finally and hopefully it makes a big difference in people's lives

Jessica Denson (16:29):

Yeah, it, I think it's, I would imagine it's hard if you're the person without the connection to be patient, but at the same time, like you said, it's a slow burn and there have been some hiccups along the way, um, that you have no control over <laugh> and not to mention that I think people don't understand how long it takes to build out something, right? Just anything that you could, that you construct.

I've been surprised about it since I've been with Connected Nations to see how new programs ju- it takes time. So yeah, but I can understand being impatient <laugh> if you're the one like, "I cannot, I can't even log into work, man. I need something." Yeah, I get it. Yeah. So, um, what, in your world, um, what do you hope is the ultimate, you know, where you end up in two, three, five years from now for Colorado?

Brandy Reitter (17:17):

You know, in my world, what I would foresee for Colorado in, in the, the near term and longer term is, uh, infrastructure, resilient infrastructure that we can leverage to do other things like emerging tech and connecting people and, uh, improving those outcomes for communities that, um, quite frankly are really dire, healthcare, education, work, um, those are all things that are very, very important to me personally.

I mean, I, I live in rural Colorado, I live this experience every day, so I know what it looks like, I know what it feels like, um, and I bring that to this work and when I'm looking outwards, I'm, I'm looking at a Colorado that's connected, um, that has the infrastructure it needs to thrive so that nobody's ever left behind. Yeah. And maybe one of these days I'll stop receiving emails and calls around, where's my broadband? Uh-huh <affirmative>.

(18:15):

You know, hopefully those calls, uh, become less and less over the next couple years.

Jessica Denson (18:19):

Oh, we hope that too for you. Um, let's talk a little, we can't leave you just a few more questions, I promise, um, but I can't leave you without asking about AI and what your position is on, um, how do we help people understand AI? How do we make it part of the broadband landscape? Is there really a place for it? You know, what, what is your position on that?

Brandy Reitter (18:43):

Yeah, that's a, that's a tricky question- Yeah. ... and one that's really important and it seems like everywhere you go AI is on the top of everybody's mind and every industry. Um, broadband does have a, I think a very critical role in the AI space and the reason why is because in order to have AI, you have to have data centers, you have to have the infrastructure, the broadband infrastructure to, to serve those centers, that to help with AI and all, and even quantum computing, all of that.

And so broadband, I feel like it, it to me is, is the, is the rock that really, really results in, in AI across, across all, across all of Colorado, rural and urban. Um, now where we are, you know, I think the state of Colorado, we've been pretty progressive in the AI space, um, and we have a lot of AI companies, we're doing really great things in Colorado and so I would love for them to do those things, not just in the Denver area, the Denver Metro area, but rural areas like, because a lot of these, a lot of these AI companies, you know, they need, they need qual- they need workforce.

(19:49):

Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And, you know, these are, some of these are remote gigs and if we can increase the bandwidth for them to operate in these communities and hire, um, people within these communities, um, or even locate people to, to rural communities that are there for the quality of life, I don't want to call them digital nomads because they're not really that for me. Like they're people that are invested in their communities. I would love, I would love for those high tech jobs to happen. I don't think AI is necessarily going to end up in, you know, I don't know, serious workforce challenges for people, but I do think that there's an opportunity to really, um, we haven't even imagined what, what AI can actually achieve. Like I, I said at the conference yesterday, I was like, what's the next broadband? To me, it feels like AI.

(20:33):

Broadband will enable that across America. So I think it's really cool and I'm actually pretty fortunate that we're sitting here kind of at the front end of the, the next big technology, um, technology transformation because you just never know. So I think we're, we're, we're sitting here looking at it today and hopefully in a couple of years we'll even have a better story to tell. Yeah. And broadband being, being the reason why a lot of that happened.

Jessica Denson (20:58):

I, I love that idea of, you know, these remote jobs we've learned through the pandemic that a lot of jobs that we though couldn't be remote are remote <laugh> or can be and then to, to also throw AI in it, I love that. I really need to, to noodle that a litle bit because, um, but a great way to continue to, um, have that rural way of life that a lot of people love across America, not just in Colorado, but also be able to make a, a great wage, um, with these tech companies. So that's a fantastic idea. So, uh, Brandy, I do this to everyone, so don't hate me for it. <laugh> But, um, tell me a little bit about you and your background. Did you grow up in Colorado?

Brandy Reitter (21:37):

Yeah. So, um, I did grow up in Colorado. I am originally from the Denver area. Uh-huh <affirmative>. And, uh, I, uh, I, I moved away a couple of times and then I've always come back because Colorado I think is the best place to live. I'm a little biased. I do walk around, I've walked around a couple days and it seems like everybody's, has some connection with Colorado. They've either been there, have family there. My mother

Jessica Denson (22:00):

Lives there.

Brandy Reitter (22:00):

<laugh> See, look, I know, right? Yeah. I feel like it's like the, it's like the, the, the, the needle that threads us all together, right? Um, but I do love my home state, uh, and I, you know, I, I didn't originally come to telecom because I wanted to be in telecom and I don't even, I wouldn't consider myself a telecom person. I am a telecom enabler, but I, my, my career before I came to the broadband office, I've been here since February of 2022 and, uh, I'm in the governor's office of information technology, so the tech and the broadband really work really nicely together. That's a veryou, it's such a great combination. And so our office has been around, well, I mean, if you really want to go back, we started as a broadband map back in 2012, um, and that was funded by, um, RA Dollars.

(22:47):

We got an ARA grant to create a broadband map for Colorado, which now fast forward, we're like this full, you know, fledged billion dollar enterprise. Um, but you know, so we, there's been an evolution with the broadband office, but whenever I decided to join the broadband office, I was actually a city manager and one of the cool things about that job, um, outside of being able to serve people seven days a week- Yeah. <laugh> 24 hours, it's a great job and I, and I loved it.

But I, I, I was in a rural city manager and, um, there's a lot of issues that I always worked on. Um, housing, affordable housing is a big deal, but broadband was always like the second thing and, and the lack of connectivity in my communities and it was even hard for me to even run a town because, you know, you, it's a twenty four seven operation.

(23:38):

You have police, you have utilities and they all rely on internet. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and so it was really challenging. So every time I went somewhere and the internet wasn't great, I would spur up a community broadband initiative to try to help not just the town operations, but our, our businesses because they struggled too. And so the pandemic really, the pandemic really inspired me because, um, you know, broadband was finally a national, I don't want to say finally, it's been a priority for a very long time, but a lot more people were talking about it. They understood

Jessica Denson (24:08):

It.

Brandy Reitter (24:08):

They did. It's not a

Jessica Denson (24:09):

Privilege.

Brandy Reitter (24:09):

Yeah. It's

Jessica Denson (24:10):

Not a luxury, it's a necessity. Right.

Brandy Reitter (24:12):

That became

Jessica Denson (24:12):

The new norm. Yeah.

Brandy Reitter (24:14):

Yeah, exactly. And in, in my, in my dry humor about it, people are like, "Oh, you know, people are working at McDonald's." I'm like, they've been working at McDonald's for like decades. Like I'm, you know, welcome to the table, right?

(24:26):

Yeah. Um, but I didn't want to say I told you so, but anyway, I, I, I, I leaned into it. I set up, I was working on a community broadband project in my last town, Eagle, and we set up a municipal broadband utility and we worked with Comcast, they were doing a build, we did our own build, so they have different options there. So I got really well steeped in telecom just by default of not having really great service.

Uh-huh <affirmative>. And then the, and I knew the state was hiring for this job and, um, I was so passionate about, you know- The connect- Yeah, just saving people like getting connectivity because it was really hard. So the grants were coming and I was like, "Well, you know what? We're going to come into all this money at the state of Colorado and across the country.

(25:11):

I want to make sure the state has that rural perspective in the room from somebody who's not only experienced the digital divide, but I've also worked with industry on bridging the digital divide on a very localized level that I don't know if a lot of people have at the, at a high, at a, at a, when you go up to the state. I mean, it's a 30,000 foot level versus a thousand foot level." And I wanted to make sure they got it right and so that's, I got inspired, you know, post pandemic, I guess, to, to really help the state. So I, I jumped ship on my career there and came over to the state to help the state out and help rural Colorado out, quite frankly. That was my passion. Rural broadband, making sure the state got the grant program right. So that's, that's a little bit about me.

Jessica Denson (25:54):

That is fantastic. Yeah. The fact that you saw this issue and you're like, I'm going to help solve it. You know, a lot of people will see an issue and complain <laugh> but you took the approach, no, I know how to, I know how to get people together, I know how to manage, I'm going to find solutions to this. That's incredible and to take that rural perspective to the state level is something that is worth its way to gold, especially to those people. So again, here's some more flowers, you're going to have a whole book. <laugh>

Brandy Reitter (26:22):

Yeah, thank you. I mean, I'm not much of a rub- Rubik's Cube problem solver because that seems impossible to me. Oh yeah. But I will go tackle rural broadband, which for some people to your point is like, "Oh, there's, there's no way you're going to fix that. " And I see it, I saw it as a huge opportunity, um, and one that's historic that'll impact people for generations. This isn't about me, the broadband office, this is really about those folks in, in rural areas that are, are falling behind, you

Jessica Denson (26:48):

Know? Yeah. So. Love that. Yeah. At Connected Nation, we're very much, we're a national nonprofit. We're very much about don't forget the rural side of things. Mm-hmm. You know, it's very, it's important and a lot of what you brought up about affordability and the workforce, uh, we echo that because it's so important and it's easy to, oh, you're con- they're connected, it's all well, good and well now, done. No, there's a lot more to it after that even. So, um, I won't keep you all day. I've kept you for a bit, so I really appreciate you again. Um, what do you, what would you want people to really know in Colorado, um, about the work that you guys are doing and to remember as we move down this path?

Brandy Reitter (27:26):

Oh God, that's such a great question. Um, you know, what I would want people to know about Colorado as we move forward and not just BEAD, um, I want people to know that we are, we're more than a BEAD program, you know, I think, I think, I don't know, I feel like a lot of over the last couple years we, we, our identity has been very strong, but it, it has gotten lost in the, um, you know, the giant of the NTIA and the programs. And I want people to know that these programs are going to come and go.

They are one time programs and they will make a huge difference in people's lives and, and I'm really blessed and fortunate to be in this role at this time But I want people to know that the divide is still going to be there and that we still need to focus on it because there's still going to be people that are going to, they're, they're going to need to want to, they're going to need to connect to the internet, um, or they want to connect to the internet and, and when we look at what's coming down the technology pipeline.

You know, we're only going to need more bandwidth and I want people to understand that once all these programs are gone, that we're going to still be there connecting people to high speed internet because we're going to need to look at the future, build for the future, continuing to build for the future and don't, and, and don't forget that because, um, there's a lot of, um, glitz and glam with 826.5 million.

(28:57):

And I'll be honest, I, I kind of drank the Kuwait as like, I'm, I have a lot of money. This is great. This is great. But, you know, really the, the most important work I feel like is what comes after these programs, um, making sure these networks are resilient and operational. They continue to operate for, for folks in Colorado, um, because I don't want these people to ever be left behind ever again. Yeah.

And I just worry about that. Like so, you know, we're going to be, the broadband office is still going to be there. Colorado, we have made a commitment to the broadband office that goes back, you know, 10, 15 years for all the states that are thinking about what the future of their broadband office is very, very important. Now's not the time to, you know, to not have one. Yeah. Um, because those, these problems are complicated and we're going to have to continue to solve whatever divide we have, right?

(29:47):

So I want people to know that, that we're still here, we're still going to connect people and we really continue to look for that support from industry and our public sector partners and, and continuing on this journey.

Jessica Denson (29:59):

Awesome. Fant Fantastic. Brandy Rider, who's executive director of Colorado Broadband Office. I really thank you for your time and your, um, thoughts and your commitment to this effort. Appreciate you.

Brandy Reitter (30:10):

Well, thanks, Jessica. Thanks so much for the opportunity to talk to you. I appreciate it. It's been a great conference and yeah, just happy to collaborate with everybody and I always appreciate the support by everybody, so.

Jessica Denson (30:21):

Awesome. On future episodes of Connected Nation, we'll bring you more details from Connected America taking place in Dallas, Texas. Until then, I'm Jessica Denson and this is Connected Nation.