State goes analog to boost a ordable internet program

Only 23% joined

BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN

An e ort to boost awareness of the year-old A ordable Connectivity Program is getting more local after earlier attempts to promote it statewide resulted in just 23% of eligible Colorado households signing up to get up to $30 o their internet bills.

To get the rest of the 77% signed up, state o cials feel that the campaign needs to go analog and provide help right in local libraries, schools and community centers.

In a news conference Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera announced the new Colorado ACP Act Now, an initiative that includes partnering with the nonpro t EducationSuperHighway and 71 public libraries, city governments, internet providers and others statewide to help their neighbors get connected in person. e organization is providing training and tools at no charge to Colorado.

“We know the broadband affordability gap disproportionately a ects low income families and individuals who have less than high school education and communities of color,” Primavera said. “So, to close the gap we need to ensure unconnected households know about the A ordable Connectivity Program and have the help that they need to enroll.”

Subsidizing Americans’ internet service became a priority during the pandemic as millions of people were stuck at home. ose with subpar internet service, or none at all, had di culty attending school remotely, or had few work-from-home options. e federal Emergency Broadband Bene ts provided $50 a month to pay for internet service but ended in late 2021. ACP replaced EBB in January.

Much is the same except that it’s now $30 per household. However, in response to the ACP’s creation, many of the larger internet providers created $30 broadband plans so the service would essentially be free. Households that meet certain income levels and use one of 114 registered internet providers in Colorado get up to $30 o their monthly bill. For those living on tribal lands, the monthly payment is $75. Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and set aside $14.2 billion to fund ACP.

As of Wednesday, 181,867 households in Colorado had enrolled. State o cials estimate that 800,000 are eligible, which means 23% have signed up.

Evan Maxwell, CEO and founder of EducationSuperHighway, said his company started in 2013 with a mission to get America’s K-12 schools connected to decent internet. at task, he said, is more or less accomplished, with 99.7% of schools served. e company has since turned to increasing ACP awareness and adoption to help states nd those eligible households who really could use faster internet.

“Only 31% of households nationally and 23% of households in Colorado have signed up for the program,” Maxwell said. “ e goal of this campaign is to drive eligible households to a mobile website called GetACP.org/Colorado. … It’s a soup-to-nuts place for people to go to get started in the process.”

At the site, users can quickly gure out if they’re eligible, get their documentation together, see if there are local internet plans that are free to them, and nd the easiest way to apply. Most users must rst get approved by the federal government at a ordableconnectivity.gov and then let their internet provider know.

But if potential users are still confused, that’s where the 71 local organizations come in. ose include Alamosa Public Library, the city of Greeley, telecom provider DISH Wireless and the Ute Mountain Communication Enterprise. ey’re getting trained by EducationSuperHighway’s LearnACP on how to work with users in person to enroll in ACP.

“If we can bring Colorado to the national best practice rates of 61% adoption, it means that 309,000 more households in Colorado will have access to the internet,” Maxwell said.

Are you eligible?

Families must have incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (for a family of two, that’s less than $39,400, and a family of four is $60,000). >> See income limits

• Or qualify for Lifeline, SNAP, free and reduced-price school lunch, WIC or other governmentfunded programs.

• A customer of a participating internet provider. >> Search enrolled ISPs

• Get approved at a ordableconnectivity.gov

• Some internet services take it from there but you may need to let them know you’ve been approved.

• Need help? Use the new portal: GetACP.org/Colorado is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Interested in becoming a foster parent?

Information nights are open to anyone interested in learning about foster care. Information nights are free and via Zoom on March 11 from 9-10:30 a.m. and March 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. For information, call 303.636.1KID or register online at collaborativefostercare.com and select Information Night.

Business Personal Property Tax Declarations due by April 15

Business Personal Property Tax Declarations may be filed online at DouglasFilesOnline.org Business owners who own or lease business personal property with a total market value of greater than $52,000 must report the property to the County Assessor. For more information, visit douglas.co.us/assessor

Do you have old electronics around the house collecting dust?

Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora. Drop off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more, visit douglas.co.us and search for Electronics Recycling.

Need help with rising heat costs?

Rising heating costs may be hard to budget for this year, but help is available to Douglas County residents who are struggling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, apply now through April 30, 2023, for energy assistance through the State of Colorado’s LowIncome Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

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