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Let’s face it, managing finances isn’t typically considered a thrilling activity for most people. However, having the right tools can make a significant difference in reducing stress and improving your financial situation. High-speed internet is one of those essential tools that can transform your financial management experience, helping you save money, earn more, and enjoy a more peaceful financial life.
If you’re still wrestling with your 2024 tax filing, don’t stress! With fast internet, you can e-file your taxes quickly and securely, ensuring faster refunds and fewer errors. Plus, you can access free filing options and affordable tax software from anywhere! 📈 Then use these tips to organize for an even easier tax filing next year!
TRAILBLAZER TOOLBOX: What Is a Digital Footprint?
Did you know that nearly everything we do online leaves behind a trace? Whether web browsing, posting on social media, or shopping for deals online, almost every click and interaction contributes to a record of our digital lives. Collectively, this massive mélange of data about each of us is known as a “digital footprint.” But what exactly is a digital footprint, and why is it so significant?
Understanding what constitutes a digital footprint and how it’s amassed over time is crucial to protecting privacy and security online, so Trailblazer Broadband has prepared this quick guide. Below, we walk you through the details of digital footprints, including the two main types, and the steps you can take to better safeguard and improve your internet experience on Trailblazer’s high-speed fiber network.
Digital Footprint Essentials
At its most basic, a digital footprint is the collection of data you leave behind when you use the internet, whether you do so knowingly or not. You’ll often see it referred to as a “digital shadow” because the collected data closely follows you as you utilize the internet without realizing the trail you’ve left behind.
Your digital footprint includes a vast record of all the websites you visit, usually in the form of “cookies” that a website collects from each unique visitor. Additionally, you directly contribute to your digital footprint whenever you share information (e.g., your name, address, phone number, or Social Security Number), post content (i.e., social media photos and posts), interact with individuals or company websites, and download apps.
Digital footprints can be active or passive. Next, we’ll explore the distinctions between active and passive digital footprints and their impact on online privacy and security.
Active and Passive Digital Footprints
The deliberate actions you choose to take online create an active digital footprint. This includes sharing, posting, or writing content on social media, websites, and blogs. It also means that you’ve added to your active digital footprint any time you post photos, videos, reviews, and comments or interact in almost any way on the web.
For example, when you post or comment on Facebook or Instagram—your own page or anyone you follow—or simply update your LinkedIn profile, you add to your active digital footprint. Even the emails you send or receive can contribute to your digital footprint, as email providers may use tools to digitally analyze the content of your messages for targeted ads and other purposes. Note that each action is intentional on your part—posting content, sending emails, etc.—and, critically, you can control what is shared and how it is presented.
On the other hand, a passive digital footprint is generated without your direct involvement (and often without your knowledge). It includes the data collected automatically about you while you browse the internet. Websites and apps follow your activity using cookies, analytics tools, and other tracking technologies to gather data on your preferences, location, and online behavior—all of which are passively collected and contribute to your digital footprint.
So, when you visit a website, it might automatically track which specific pages you viewed, how long you stayed on each page, or your overall search history. Your physical location—i.e., your city, town, and state—is also frequently tracked. But unlike your active digital footprint, you did not intentionally input information about yourself or post content—you simply clicked, and tracking technology collected the data and added it to your passive digital footprint.
Why Does Your Digital Footprint Matter?
Your digital footprint is not a mere “collection” of digitized information about you—it has considerable real-world implications for your privacy, security, and reputation online and offline.
- Protect Your Privacy: Millions of people use social media to post about themselves daily, and a substantial amount of personal information can be inferred from a digital footprint. From interests and relationships to everyday habits, companies, marketers, and advertisers can access this data and create targeted ads and offers.
- Prevent Identity Theft and Fraud: Unfortunately, savvy cybercriminals can find ways to access your digital footprint and use it for nefarious purposes if it’s not been adequately protected—including the biggest risk: identity theft. This means that cybercriminals could potentially access your name, address, phone number, Social Security Number, or even bank account and credit card details through your digital presence and exploit them.
- Defend Your Reputation: Be mindful that employers, coworkers, friends, and family may search for you online to learn more about you and what you’re up to. Posts or controversial content taken out of context or inappropriate can negatively impact your personal and professional reputation for years—or even lead to termination.
Managing and Protecting Your Digital Footprint
Now that you understand your digital footprint, how it’s created, and its potential implications, you need to learn how to manage and protect it. Below are several simple but often overlooked steps to safeguard your digital presence effectively.
- Reduce Personal Information Shared: First, and most obviously, avoid oversharing personal details online, whether in posts, emails, or online forms. The more you share about yourself, the more data is available for others to see (and use).
- Employ Strong Passwords and Security Tools: Use strong, unique passwords for every account you use. When available, use multi-factor authentication to access your accounts, and install security tools to protect your data from malware and viruses that insidiously collect it and lead to breaches.
- Customize and Enable Privacy Settings: Don’t forget to regularly check the privacy settings on your social media accounts, apps, and other online platforms, as well as the websites and online stores you use. Many apps and websites allow you to adjust your settings to limit who can see your posts and personal information and what data they collect about you.
- Research Apps and Websites First: While trying out a new app or browsing a trendy website can be tempting, it’s advisable to tread cautiously before diving in too deeply or sharing information about yourself on them. Many apps require permission to access your data or online profiles before you can use them, so carefully review their permissions and privacy policies to ensure they are transparent and trustworthy.
Understanding and managing your digital footprint is essential for maintaining privacy, security, and a positive online reputation. Armed with this knowledge and our recommended steps to protect your digital footprint, you can take control of your online presence and feel more confident while using the internet.
For additional tips to help keep you and your family safe online, follow Trailblazer Broadband’s social pages.
Picture having a patient, tech-savvy tutor helping you unlock the digital world. That’s the role of Larimer County’s Digital Navigators! They’re like tech teachers, guiding folks through the sometimes confusing world of computers, the internet, and smartphones. Thanks to support from the state, AmeriCorps, and companies like Comcast, these tutors are setting up shop in places like the Estes Valley Library. They’re dedicated to helping people facing hurdles in the digital realm gain the skills and access to thrive in our increasingly digital society!
Program Overview and Services
Digital Navigators provide one-on-one and small-group assistance to improve digital literacy, home connectivity, and device access. Key services include:
- Skill-Building Sessions: Offering recurring appointments for skills like smartphone use, email management, file organization, and software training.
- Community Outreach: Raising awareness about digital equity through partnerships with libraries, workforce centers, and housing communities.
- Device and Internet Support: Helping individuals acquire affordable devices (e.g., laptops, Chromebooks) and navigate low-cost internet options.
The program prioritizes flexibility, with assistance available in person, by phone, or online. Drop-in sessions and scheduled appointments ensure accessibility for diverse needs.
Estes Valley Library’s Role
As a host site since 2023, the Estes Valley Library in Estes Park serves as a hub for Digital Navigator services in the region. AmeriCorps members stationed here:
- Conduct personalized assessments to identify residents’ connectivity, device access, and skill gaps.
- Develop tailored digital inclusion plans, such as guiding older adults through telehealth platforms or assisting job seekers with online applications.
- Partner with local organizations to reach underserved groups, including rural populations and non-native English speakers.
The library’s central role reflects the broader recognition that public libraries are uniquely positioned to bridge the digital divide due to their community trust and existing infrastructure. Erik Rock, Technology Manager at Loveland Public Library (which oversees the Larimer County program), notes that demand for tech assistance has surged, with libraries becoming critical lifelines for digital skill development.
Community Impact and Future Expansion
The program has already demonstrated tangible benefits. Participants gain confidence in using technology for daily tasks, employment, and education, while AmeriCorps members like Chris Smith describe the work as “one of the most rewarding experiences” of their lives. Estes Park residents, particularly in rural areas, now have sustained access to resources that were previously out of reach.
Looking ahead, Larimer County plans to expand Digital Navigator services through:
- Recruitment: Adding more AmeriCorps members for the 2024–2025 term, with applications opening in early 2025.
- Enhanced Partnerships: Collaborating with workforce centers and housing communities to embed Navigators in high-need areas.
- Statewide Coordination: Participating in Colorado’s Digital Navigator Community of Practice to share strategies and resources with other regions.
By integrating localized support with state-level policy efforts, Larimer County’s Digital Navigators exemplify a scalable model for advancing digital equity. The Estes Valley Library’s involvement ensures that even remote mountain communities like Estes Park can thrive in an increasingly digital world. For more information, contact the Estes Valley Library about the next scheduled Digital Navigators session on March 20, 2025 or call Larimer County’s Digital Navigators directly at 970-962-3154.
Sources:
- https://www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/services/technology/digital-navigators-of-larimer-county-librarie s-program
- https://northfortynews.com/category/news/technology-tutoring-with-a-digital-navigator-in-larimer-county/
- https://calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org/event/12441886
- https://americalearns.com/digital-navigators-loveland-public-library-americorps-compliance/
- https://edtech.worlded.org/digital-navigators-awareness-of-services-impact/
- https://servecolorado.colorado.gov/digitalnavigators
The internet landscape continues to evolve in 2025, with Starlink and fiber internet emerging as two prominent solutions for high-speed connectivity. Both technologies offer unique benefits and are poised for significant growth in the coming year.
Fiber Broadband Expansion
As 2024 comes to a close, the Fiber Broadband Association reports its best year in the association’s history. The industry set a record in fiber deployment, passing 10.3 million homes in 2024, surpassing the 2023 record deployment of 9.1 million homes. There are now 76.5 million unique U.S. homes passed with fiber, with 88.1 million fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections, including homes with more than one fiber passing. More locally, Trailblazer Broadband surpassed 4,000 customers in its service area in and around Estes Park.
Fiber internet remains the gold standard for speed and reliability. Fiber optic networks offer unparalleled performance, with speeds reaching up to 10 Gbps in some areas. Fiber boasts ultra-low latency of 1-5 ms, making it ideal for real-time applications like online gaming and video conferencing. The technology’s reliability is unmatched, with underground cables resistant to interference from weather conditions and physical obstacles.
Starlink Progress
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has made remarkable strides since its inception. Currently, Starlink provides average speeds of up to 220 Mbps, with promises of reaching 1 Gbps once its satellite constellation is complete. Its primary advantage lies in its broad coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites have significantly reduced latency compared to traditional satellite internet, averaging around 20-40 milliseconds.
Here are some key findings about the pros and cons of LEO satellites primarily based on Starlink, which currently has the largest constellation of these satellites.
- Today, Starlink has the capacity to support 1.7 million subscribers in the U.S.
- Starlink currently has 1.4 million subscribers
- 215,000 of these locations are BEAD grant-eligible
- The available spectrum today supports one housing unit per square mile
- The opportunity for incremental BEAD funding is limited to 180,000 locations
- By 2030, Starlink will have a larger, more capable fleet, but spectrum constraints will remain even if additional allocations are granted by the FCC
Starlink is an exciting and much-needed addition to rural internet’s long-limited landscape. Although service is slower and more expensive than many other providers and connection types, LEO satellites are a complementary alternative broadband technology, that are ideal to serve remote, hard to reach, low-density housing locations, and/or for quick service restoration where physical infrastructure has been destroyed due to natural disasters.
Performance Comparison
Fiber internet consistently outperforms Starlink in terms of speed, latency, and reliability. While Starlink has made significant improvements, it still falls short of fiber’s capabilities.
| Aspect |
Starlink |
Fiber |
| Download Speed |
50-250 Mbps |
Up to 10 Gbps |
| Upload Speed |
10-50 Mbps |
Up to 10 Gbps |
| Latency |
20-40 ms |
1-5 ms |
Further, Starlink customers expect to pay $120 a month for fixed home internet service offering around 220 Mbps (compared to around $60 – $80 per month for 1000 Mbps from fiber providers like Trailblazer), plus $349, give or take a hundred bucks, for the equipment needed to get started. Starlink is also imposing a one-time $100 congestion charge in some areas.
The preference for fiber within the state broadband offices remains clear. Just recently, Doug Adams issued a State Broadband Director survey, which received responses from 31 states. The state directors remain very bullish on fiber, with verbatim comments including:
- “Fiber deployment is the most reliable technology, future proof, and provides the most benefit and value”
- “States are running their own programs, LEO may be needed where fiber doesn’t make economic sense, but there isn’t enough LEO capacity to cover every location”
- “We will continue to prioritize fiber and will do everything in my power to keep that priority.”
Future Growth and Expectations
In the coming year, both Starlink and fiber internet are expected to see substantial growth and improvements:
Starlink
- Expanded coverage: Starlink will continue to launch more satellites, improving global coverage and potentially increasing speeds6.
- Technological advancements: Innovations in satellite technology may further reduce latency and increase bandwidth capacity3.
- Rural focus: Starlink will likely play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide in remote areas.
Fiber Internet
- Increased deployment: Efforts to expand fiber infrastructure, especially in rural areas, will intensify.
- Speed improvements: Advancements in fiber optic technology will push data speeds beyond current limits.
- Integration with smart technologies: Fiber networks will support the growing ecosystem of IoT devices which communicate through the cloud and smart home applications.
Environmental Considerations
An important factor to consider is the environmental impact of these technologies. Fiber optic internet is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Deploying fiber can reduce carbon emissions by 34%, equivalent to taking 11 million cars off the road annually combined with increased remote work.
The Local Estes Park Landscape
Trailblazer Broadband began it’s fiber network development over 5 years ago ahead of most municipalities and long before many other BEAD grant funds were available. Along with Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins, Estes Park had the vision to begin the fiber journey early and as a result, has already significantly enhanced the internet landscape in greater Estes Park, putting our town ahead of the game.
Comparatively, across the US, since January 2021, at least 47 new municipal networks have come online, bringing the total number of community-owned networks in the U.S. to approximately 447, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR).
To complete the Trailblazer Broadband fiber network, the Town of Estes Park is seeking BEAD grant funding to address the fiber needs of the more remote regions of the Estes Park Power and Communications areas. Nationwide, many other municipalities and providers are also seeking a portion of the BEAD funding. As technology progresses and investment increases, the landscape of rural broadband connectivity will continue to evolve, bringing new opportunities for enhancing internet access in underserved communities.
Conclusion
While Starlink offers a promising solution for areas lacking traditional infrastructure, fiber internet remains superior in speed, reliability, and latency. As we move through 2025 and beyond, both technologies will continue to evolve and play crucial roles in global connectivity. Fiber will likely dominate in urban and suburban areas, while Starlink will be instrumental in providing high-speed internet to remote regions. The choice between the two will depend on location, availability, and specific user needs.
References:
- Fiber Broadband Association Annual Report, 2024
- U.S. Broadband Deployment Statistics, 2024
- Telecommunications Industry Research Report, 2025
- International Broadband Performance Study, 2024
- Fiber Optic Technology Reliability Assessment, 2024
- Starlink Performance Metrics, SpaceX 2024 Report
- Rural Connectivity Research, 2024
- Satellite Internet Latency Comparison Study, 2024
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