As many of you know, Trailblazer Broadband has already invested nearly $30 million to bring high-speed fiber internet to our community. We’re proud to be among the many “shovel-ready” broadband projects nationwide—fully engineered, permitted, and ready to build the final miles.
Unfortunately, recent federal developments have added a new layer of uncertainty. On June 6, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced sweeping changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Among the most impactful:
- States must now conduct at least one more competitive funding round—even if they’ve already selected awardees.
- The former preference for fiber-optic technology has been removed. Now, any solution that meets minimum speed and latency requirements is considered a “priority” project.
- States will be required to re-submit their BEAD proposals, with a new emphasis on selecting the lowest cost-per-premise
While Colorado has been proactive—submitting letters to Secretary Lutnick and continuing to advocate for BEAD deployment—we don’t yet know how these new federal mandates will affect preliminary awards like ours. At a minimum, we anticipate that the application process will be extended and that previously planned allocations may be reevaluated under this new framework.
We’re sympathetic to the growing frustration these delays and changes create—not just for communities still waiting for service, but for small local teams like ours who are balancing day-to-day operations and navigating the increasing complexity of federal grant compliance. These changes could mean more competition for limited dollars and a higher cost-efficiency bar to clear—despite the fact that we’re ready to build today.
Still, we remain committed to seeing this through. Trailblazer Broadband will continue advocating for Estes Park, Glen Haven, Allenspark, and the entire Estes Valley—because reliable, high-speed internet isn’t a luxury. It’s fast becoming a utility, and a necessity.
We’ll keep you posted as we learn more from the State of Colorado in the coming weeks. In the meantime, thank you—as always—for your patience and support.
Cultivating a Water-Wise Colorado Garden
In Colorado, where water is precious and drought conditions are common, responsible gardening practices are more important than ever. Xeriscaping—a landscaping approach that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental irrigation—has long been a staple of smart, sustainable gardening here. But now, thanks to the power of smart technology and fiber internet from Trailblazer Broadband, it’s easier than ever to cultivate eco-friendly gardens that thrive in our unique climate.
Whether you’re growing native plants, herbs, or vegetables, gardening can be both therapeutic and rewarding. But the physical effort and constant upkeep often required can be daunting. Fortunately, smart gardening technology offers innovative tools to help Colorado gardeners save time, conserve water, and boost yields—all while protecting our natural resources.
Smart Gardening in Colorado: Technology Meets Sustainability
Smart gardening integrates modern technology into traditional gardening practices to help you monitor, automate, and optimize your garden using devices that sync with your smartphone or tablet. These tools are especially valuable in water-conscious states like Colorado, where efficient irrigation and climate-appropriate plant choices make all the difference.
Here’s how smart tech is transforming sustainable gardening across the Centennial State:
🌱 Smart Irrigation Systems
Smart irrigation systems are a game-changer for water conservation. These systems use soil moisture sensors, weather data, and plant-specific watering needs to deliver just the right amount of water—only when it’s actually needed. This means healthier plants, lower utility bills, and significantly less water waste.
Local Tip: Look into rebate programs from local water districts like Northern Water or Resource Central in Boulder for discounts on smart irrigation tools and consultations.
🌿 Advanced Soil Sensors
Good soil health is key to a flourishing garden. Smart soil sensors take the guesswork out of gardening by measuring critical metrics like moisture levels, temperature, and nutrient content. This data empowers gardeners to make informed decisions about watering, fertilizing, and planting—minimizing both waste and effort.
🌼 Xeriscaping and Native Plants
Colorado is the ideal environment for xeriscaping, which emphasizes drought-tolerant native plants like blue grama grass, blanket flower, and Rocky Mountain penstemon. These plants require far less water than traditional turf lawns and support local pollinators and wildlife.
Want to learn more? Check out the Colorado Native Plant Society and the Plant Select® program for ideas on what to plant in your region.
🤖 Smart Gardening Devices
From automated drip irrigation to robotic weeders and mowers (for those who still maintain some grass), smart gardening tools can dramatically reduce the physical labor required for upkeep. These devices use GPS, AI, and advanced programming to care for your garden efficiently—freeing up more time to enjoy the outdoors rather than toil in it.
The Future is Fiber-Powered and Eco-Friendly
All of these innovations are powered by fast, reliable internet. Trailblazer Broadband’s high-speed fiber network ensures that your smart gardening tools stay connected and responsive—whether you’re adjusting irrigation schedules from your kitchen or checking soil conditions on vacation.
As Colorado communities grow more climate-conscious, the future of gardening will be defined by low-water, low-maintenance, and high-tech solutions. By embracing smart gardening, you can do your part to protect our natural resources while cultivating a vibrant and sustainable outdoor space.
Helpful Colorado Resources for Smart, Sustainable Gardening:
Ready to grow smarter? Let Trailblazer Broadband connect your garden to the future—one drop of water at a time.
By: Trailblazer News Team – Special Report
At Estes Park Middle School, a group of computer science students turned frustration into innovation.
Faced with persistent internet connectivity problems and sluggish classroom computers, students in one of the Computer Science classes—led by their dedicated teacher, Mrs. Ravi Davis—decided to do what real problem-solvers do: investigate the issue, dig into the data, and present solutions. And that’s exactly what they did.
Instead of shrugging off the tech troubles, these students put on their analytical hats and embarked on a full-blown inquiry into why their classroom experience was lagging. Over the course of the term, they explored everything from bandwidth limitations to outdated hardware, and what they found was eye-opening.
During a recent presentation to Estes Park School District administrative staff, including the IT Systems Administrator/Cyber Analyst and a few guests from Trailblazer Broadband, the students impressed everyone with their research, professionalism, and thoughtful recommendations.
🔍 Root Cause: Found!
The students outlined several key issues impacting their ability to learn effectively:
- Unstable WiFi connectivity within the school made it frustratingly difficult to stay connected to online resources. Frequent disconnections and lag—likely caused by environmental interference (concrete walls and school construction materials) and older devices not equipped for high-speed wireless—disrupted their ability to complete coding assignments or use the curriculum smoothly.
- Outdated classroom computers were also a major roadblock. Equipped with aging Intel Core i5 processors, only 8GB of RAM, and limited integrated graphics, these machines struggled to handle even basic programming tasks.
- Operating system concerns added another layer to the tech tangle, prompting the students to explore a more holistic solution involving upgraded devices.
💡 Tech Tip: WiFi vs. Internet—What’s the Difference?
It’s a common mix-up! WiFi is the wireless signal that connects devices to an internal network. The internet, on the other hand, is the connection Trailblazer Broadband provides from the outside world to the building (home, business or school!). In this case, the internet wasn’t the problem—the WiFi signal inside the classroom was. Things like concrete walls, older laptops, and limited wireless access points can all make WiFi connections drop or slow down, even with a strong internet feed coming in. |
💡 Solutions: Researched and Ready
But this wasn’t a “complaint session” by any stretch of the imagination! These students came prepared with three researched computer options—models from Lenovo, HP, and Dell—comparing specs, RAM, graphics capabilities, storage, and price. They even considered the financial implications of reducing the class size to make new technology more affordable.
The highlight? Their thoughtful consideration of how improved devices would benefit not just this class, but future students. Better equipment means smoother curriculum delivery, stronger skill development, and fewer tech-induced roadblocks in their learning journey.
| 🖥️Which Computer is Best?
The students had excellent suggestions and after consulting with the IT Systems Administrator/Cyber Analyst, it was determined the best fit for the class should be devices designed to meet tech needs for several years. This is the district-recommended workhorse!
DakTech Discovery H810 Desktop:
● Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 265 30M Cache, 2.4 GHz (Turbo 5.30GHz)
● Memory 32GB DDR5 5600MHz
● Video Card 8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA RTX A1000
● Monitor ASUS 27″ VA27DQ 1080P Full HD 1920 x 1080 |
🎤 Tech Talk with the Trailblazers — Q&A for the Class
- What was the thing that surprised you the most during this project? “We initially thought it was the internet causing our electronic troubles. But truly, it was the devices that were rubbish.”
- What part of the research did you enjoy the most—and why? “We enjoyed presenting our proposal to the administration and Trailblazer Broadband the most, and have our voices heard.”
- Was there anything that frustrated you along the way? “Having to work on the outdated computers along the way.”
- Knowing what you know now, and considering long-term future use, if you had unlimited funds, what kind of computers would you pick—and what features would they have? “We would like to have the computers that Mr. Compton spec’d for us, based on our research and what we needed.”
- Did this project change how you think about technology in schools? How? “Yes. It changed how we think about technology because we now understand the importance of having good technology to support computer science education.”
- What was it like presenting to adults from the district and Trailblazer? Nerve-wracking, exciting… or both? “Nervous and exhilarating! It felt incredible to be able to present in front of administration and Trailblazer.”
- Would you want to work in tech someday? If so, what kind of job would you love to have? “Yes – film animation, video game development, and Space Force!”
👏 Community Collaboration
And yes—when asked what surprised them most, one student (very enthusiastically!) said:
“That Trailblazer actually came to our class to listen to our presentation!”
You bet we did—and we left inspired. These future engineers, analysts, and innovators reminded us that problem-solving starts at any age, especially when guided by a supportive educator and a curiosity to make things better
| Thank You To the Estes Park School District! |
The great news is that the District was able to purchase 15 of these devices already!!
Estes Park Middle School Tech Students still need more devices so class size doesn’t need to be reduced and they can all participate.
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You Can Support Computer Science at Estes Park Middle School!
Fundraiser Report from the Estes Park School District
We are working to expand access to computer science and technology education at Estes Park Middle School. Your support can help us purchase computers to ensure all students have the tools they need to fully participate in our growing computer science program — including courses in game and animation design, coding, and web design.
To make a donation:
Please make checks payable to EPMS Computer Science and mail them to:
Estes Park School District
c/o Wendy Rashid
1605 Brodie Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
Thank you for investing in our students and their future! |
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