Colorado is one step closer to having quality, high-speed internet available to all citizens. The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) has released comprehensive maps depicting broadband availability across the state, the speeds at which service is provided, and the population density of unserved areas. The 2008 Senate Bill 215, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz and Representative Jim Riesberg, called for the creation of the broadband inventory, which serves as a starting point for developing effective broadband deployment and adoption strategies.

“This is an important advancement in the push for enhanced broadband services and adoption of a technology critical to economic development, heath, education, and civic engagement,” said Gov. Ritter. “Understanding where broadband is deployed today will enable us to make advancements in broadband tomorrow.”

The maps were developed by Connect Colorado, a subsidiary of Connected Nation, who collected the broadband provider data and developed an interactive web service for citizens to check broadband availability, locate providers in their area, and report data inaccuracies.

While the project found the vast majority of Colorado has basic broadband coverage, there are other important factors – such adequate speed and adoption – that contribute to a state’s “broadband fitness.” The project explored these areas, but OIT hopes to round out the work with a $2.1 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that it recently received from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The funding will enable OIT to continue its broadband data collection and mapping efforts and to help identify priority areas for activities to promote the deployment and use of broadband service.

Renewable Energy Development Infrastructure study outlines need for transmission, utility-scale renewable energy, efficiency and natural gas investments

Gov. Bill Ritter yesterday released a new report mapping out how Colorado’s electricity sector can reduce carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent over the next decade by significantly expanding investments in new high-voltage transmission and utility-scale renewable energy, increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and developing a greater role for natural gas.

The Renewable Energy Development Infrastructure (REDI) report concludes that expansion of Colorado’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure will considerably improve the reliability of the state’s electricity delivery system and accommodate greater development of renewable energy from rural Colorado to electric customers across the state.

“Updating and expanding our aging and constrained transmission infrastructure is a critical piece of our New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “Investment in transmission means jobs and a major boost to Colorado’s economy, including in rural areas that are home to many of our state’s richest renewable energy resources. Bringing dependable, affordable clean energy  – whether solar, wind or natural gas – from where it’s generated to where it’s needed the most will keep Colorado on the leading edge in a world moving fast toward a new energy future.”

Read more details here.

Washington – Offering further proof that the President’s Economic Recovery Act is working, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released estimates Monday showing that economic recovery funds has saved or created between 600,000 and 1.6 million jobs in the third quarter and raised the gross domestic product by as much as 3.2 percent. The CBO findings follow a report from the New York Times, citing leading economists who concluded the Recovery Act “is helping an economy in free fall a year ago to grow again and shed fewer jobs than it otherwise would.” [New York Times, 11/20/09]. In response, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak released the following statement:

“This new report offers further proof that the Economic Recovery Act is working. Leading economists have said that the Recovery Act is on track to reach its goal of saving or creating 3.5 million jobs, and now the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office confirms this with its findings that the recovery funds have already saved or created between 600,000 and 1.6 million jobs.

“While we still have work to do to get our economy back on track, it is clear that the Recovery Act has prevented an economic catastrophe. But this success comes no thanks to Representatives Coffman and Lamborn and the Republican ‘Party Of NO,’ who put politics ahead of common sense and voted against the Recovery Act. Colorado Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to the act, preferring to continue down the path of failed Bush economic policies. Representatives Lamborn and Coffman and their colleagues in Congress have shown time and time again that they are more interested in seeing Democrats fail than in fighting for the best interests of Coloradans.

“Despite unrelenting opposition from the Republican ‘Party of NO,’ President Obama and Congressional Democrats continue to promote policies to create jobs, grow our economy and deliver on the change Americans overwhelming voted for last November. It’s time for Colorado’s Republicans to stop playing politics and to start working with us.”

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Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that the Governor’s Office of Information Technology has secured nearly $2.1 million through the Recovery Act to support broadband Internet mapping and planning activities throughout Colorado.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded grant funding today to six states, including Colorado.

“Reliable, affordable Internet service brings opportunities in education, business, health care and jobs to our state,” Gov. Ritter said. “Improving our broadband access is imperative to remaining competitive in today’s global economy. These funds will pave the way for growth in new geographic areas and keep Colorado a leader in the digital economy of today and tomorrow.”

Colorado received an award of approximately $1.6 million for broadband data collection and mapping activities over a two-year period and almost $500,000 for broadband planning activities over a five-year period.

The funding will allow Colorado to expand on broadband mapping efforts initiated by Senate Bill 08-215, which was sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz and Rep. Jim Riesberg.

“Access to broadband Internet is critical for continued progress and prosperity of Colorado families and businesses,” Sen. Schwartz said. “There are unserved and underserved communities all around Colorado with schools, healthcare providers and businesses that need access to 21st century connectivity. This is a significant step to assuring opportunity for all citizens across the state.”

The nation’s GDP grew more in the 3rd quarter of 2009 than in any quarter since 2007.  Said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, “Today’s numbers indicate that the tough decisions this administration made to rescue the economy from the abyss were correct. We’re headed in the right direction, and even though there are still too many Americans out of work and still much work to be done, without the action taken in the early days of this administration, the pain families are feeling today would be much worse.”

Gov. Bill Ritter today released new reports showing widespread benefits to Colorado communities from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The reports show that millions of people have directly benefited from Recovery Act funds. They also indicate strong job creation and retention in construction, business contracts and teaching. The reports are based on information submitted to the federal government earlier this month to comply with Section 1512 of the Recovery Act and data from state agencies.

* $1.2 billion has been spent so far across Colorado.

* More than 10,000 jobs have been created or retained so far in a portion of the programs.

* Public institutions of higher education retained more than 2,600 full-time equivalent positions.

* More than 400 jobs have been retained or created through weatherization programs and 516 homes have received energy efficiency improvements.

* More than 100 Colorado businesses have been awarded contracts and have been paid more than $48 million so far.

* Over 3 million individuals and families have benefited from tax cuts, extra unemployment benefits and food stamps and weatherization work.

* 6,200 households have taken advantage of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

The new reports are available on the state website, www.colorado.gov/recovery.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today the restoration of funding for the Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) Program, which provides a monthly stipend of some $200 for food, housing and other essential services to about 6,500 of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.

To help close a $320 million budget shortfall in current FY09-10, the AND Program was slated to be suspended effective Jan. 1, 2010, for a $7.2 million savings.

“Over the past year, working together with the legislature, we’ve closed recession-caused budget shortfalls of nearly $2 billion,” Gov. Ritter said. “We’ve taken great care and been guided by compassion in making surgical reductions to avoid pain where possible and preserve the safety net for those who depend on government services.

“I’ve been concerned from the beginning about the impact of suspending the AND Program on those who rely on it as a lifeline. I have listened to the concerns expressed by AND recipients and those who work with them all across Colorado, and today I have directed my budget office to re-balance the budget without suspending this program.”

The Department of Human Services, which administers the AND Program with counties throughout Colorado, will be evaluating the program to make it more efficient, effective and accountable.