El Paso County is soliciting public input into the development of a Broadband Strategic Plan. The initial phase is a study that includes gathering input from County residents, businesses and key stakeholders through two online surveys, one specifically targeted to assess the needs desires of residents and another one for businesses. These two online surveys are open and available through the end of June.
“We’d like as many residents and businesses as possible to complete the surveys so we have a clearer picture of where the needs are greatest,” said Jeff Eckhart, Executive Director of El Paso County’s Information Technology Division. Eckhart added, “we’ll also be interviewing business leaders, public safety agencies and other government agencies at the same time.”
To take the residential survey go online to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EPCResidential
Business owners and managers should go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EPCBusiness
Development of the Broadband Strategic Plan follows overwhelming voter-approval of a November 2016 ballot question that authorizes the County to work in collaboration with broadband service providers to extend reliable high-speed service in underserved areas. Concurrently with the development of the strategic plan El Paso County is also working with Teller County in a collaborative effort to add capacity and improve connectivity through the Ute Pass area and into Cripple Creek.
The County has contracted with HRGreen, a national engineering firm with offices in Colorado Springs and Denver to develop the plan. The study will be completed this fall.