SB 23-183

Senate Bill 23-183, which has been approved and is now in effect, allows local governments in Colorado to provide or operate facilities for cable TV, internet, and telecommunications services without needing a public election. It also permits local governments to partner with private companies to offer these services using government-owned infrastructure, again skipping the need for an election. Additionally, it clarifies that local governments can build middle-mile broadband infrastructure, which is part of the network but doesn’t directly connect to individual homes or businesses. This change affects how local communities can expand and manage their communication networks.

Official Summary

The act: Eliminates the requirement that a local government hold an election before providing or before operating a facility to provide cable television, telecommunications, or broadband internet services to subscribers; Eliminates the requirement that a local government hold an election to enter into a private partnership to allow a private provider to use local government facilities in connection with the private provider offering cable television service, telecommunications service, broadband internet service, or middle mile infrastructure; and Specifies that a local government may provide middle mile infrastructure, which is broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to an end-user location. APPROVED by Governor May 1, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 1, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes