Freedom from Historical Summer Season Internet Lag

Summer is here and so are our seasonal neighbors, friends and visitors. More people means more events, more business, and yes, more traffic – even on the internet. Now that Trailblazer Broadband has completed the build-out of more than half of its fiber infrastructure, Trailblazer clients will have significantly better summer experience than in the past.

Here’s how:

Better bandwidth in the fiber optic network means less slowing when more people are using the internet simultaneously.
Trailblazer’s three – yes 3! – redundant fiber paths out of town mean service continuity with far less chance of service interruptions.

Trailblazer is the only local option for internet with symmetrical speed of up to 1 GIG (1,000 Mbps) for downloads AND uploads with no data caps. Most alternatives only offer around 20 Mbps for uploads as part of “1 GIG” service.

Why does it matter? Upload speeds are critical to anything where you are SENDING rather than RECEIVING information over the internet, such as

• Video calls (FaceTime with the grandkids, anyone?),
• Backing up files to the Cloud
• Uploading vacation and wedding photos to social media for friends and family

Yes, we’re tooting our own horn a bit, but we know that when you’re in Estes Park, you want to spend as much time enjoying the beauty and fun of the outdoors, not sitting behind a computer screen. We’re here to make that happen!

Connecting with Associations as We Build Our Fiber Network

Cooperation is the key to any successful endeavor, and it is particularly important where the construction of the Trailblazer Fiber Network is concerned.  Before running fiber to a neighborhood, one of the first steps is to work with the area Homeowners and Condo Associations, property managers, and business complex owners to communicate the construction plans and ensure that appropriate permissions are obtained.

“Because we are part of the Town infrastructure and this is our community, we want to get things right from the start,” says Kim Smith, Trailblazer’s Customer Experience Manager.

Most of Trailblazer’s fiber runs are contained within existing utility easements; however, in running new lines through a neighborhood, there are often additional considerations for roads, driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping.

“It’s important to have strong communication as we move forward to ensure that we coordinate with associations in the area.  Whatever the situation, it is always our goal to run fiber with minimal disruption to the surroundings and to the residents and businesses in the area,” Kim adds.

The Trailblazer team begins to contact HOAs and COAs in upcoming construction areas as quickly as possible to avoid delays in providing service to residents and businesses.   If your area is receiving service in the next few months, Trailblazer would be happy to give a brief presentation at your next association meeting to prepare for the construction process. HOA board members are encouraged to contact the Trailblazer Customer Support Team at 970-577-3770 for more information.

2nd Annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament is August 13

By ESTES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
July 22, 2021 at 7:50 a.m.
Published in the Trail Gazette

The 2nd Annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament on August 13 is sponsored by the Town of Estes Park and Trailblazer Broadband to say thank you to the business community. Supporting sponsors this year include The Bank of Estes Park, Edward Jones and Aldrich Builders. Our Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ lunch and beverages are sponsored this year by Bank of Colorado, Westover Construction, Mortgage Solutions and Estes Valley Recreation District. New this year will be 18 hole sponsors sampling their goods and services throughout the day, from the 1:30 p.m. shotgun start to the award ceremony.

“Last year we created the golf tournament in six weeks as a survival gap measure for the Chamber in a pandemic year,” said Chamber Board Chair Derek Vinge. “This year we’re already off to a strong start and the tournament will keep our operations strong while we continue building toward our membership goal of 400 by the end of the summer.”

Estes Chamber of Commerce
The Estes Chamber develops its operating funds from membership, events and two flagship fundraisers each year, including The Chamber Cup.
Like many chambers, the Estes Chamber develops its operating funds from membership, events and two flagship fundraisers each year, including The Chamber Cup. The growth of the Chamber in the past year demonstrates that this community values having a unique and unbiased voice for business. The Chamber still has several sponsorship options open to promote your business. Contact Executive Director Donna Carlson at donna@esteschamber.org to discuss sponsorships. Register a foursome for $500 or a single for $150 at esteschamber.org/chamber-cup.

KREV-LP Running from New Site

The broadcast signal is once again reaching much of the Estes Valley, and the availability of Trailblazer Broadband at the new location allows live streaming to more listeners in remote locations.

Many seasonal visitors to Estes Park take advantage of the streaming service to listen to KREV-LP. To try the live stream, go to the website at www.krevlpfm.org, and click on “Listen Now.” The station will be off the air for a short period during installation of some equipment upgrades that will improve the stereo signal.

Now that the tower has been installed and the equipment has again been hooked up, KREV-LP has resumed its usual announcement and program schedule.

“We are deeply grateful for the patience of our listeners and underwriters during this long process,” says KREV-LP board chair Cay Lacey. Although the station was not able to conduct any fundraising during the pandemic, all commitments for on-air underwriter recognition will be fulfilled, and underwriters for 2020 will receive a full year of on-air credits. The KREV-LP board hopes to get back to regular fundraising through an in-person campaign this fall.

KREV-LP serves the Estes Valley with a varied mix of music, public service programming, and local announcements. To support Community Radio for the Estes Valley, visit the website at www.krevlpfm.org for more information on how to become an underwriter or contributor to help with the costs of relocating the tower. Click on the “Become an Underwriter” tab at the top of the page to fill out the on-line form, and someone will contact you to complete the process. KREV-LP also accepts donations through credit cards or PayPal through the “Donate Now” link on the website.

06/09/21 – By Cay Lacey for the Trail-Gazette

Preparing for a “New Normal” Summer

With flowers blooming and businesses opening up, everyone is looking forward to a great summer season. Even so, everyday life looks a little more, well – digital – these days. In this “new normal,” we’ve learned the value of staying connected remotely with friends, loved ones and colleagues.  Now that we know we can effectively work from home – at least occasionally – and that Zoom dinners with far away friends are really fun, we are unlikely to give them up.   Trailblazer Broadband is committed to connecting our community to the new normal with the convenience of reliable and affordable high-speed internet. 

“A lot of people think of 1 GIG internet as all about download speed,” says Josh Cramer, Network Director for Trailblazer.  “Download speed is definitely important, but it’s also about full 1 GIG upload speed, reliability, and lower latency so more people can use the internet simultaneously – to work, stream, learn, and video chat – without interruption.”

That bandwidth will also make a difference to Trailblazer customers this summer as residents and visitors return to the area, bringing increased demand for internet resources.  And for those who would rather be climbing the mountains than surfing the internet, better broadband service will get them on their way faster as well. 

Here’s to a healthy, enjoyable summer for all in our community, whatever the new normal brings!