Absolutely. We understand that your needs at a business level are unique and often more complex than those of residential service. As we build out your location, our Customer Experience Manager, Kim Smith, will be working one-on-one with businesses to define their needs and propose the correct solution. Contact Kim at [email protected]

Fiber is significantly better than 5G in numerous ways. It is not possible to build a gigabit class 5G network without first building a fiber network in Estes Park. A gigabit class 5G network will require fiber to every neighborhood and antennas within a maximum of 1000 feet from anywhere service is required. Such a fiber network is effectively a fiber-to-the-home network.

Fiber internet also performs significantly better than all existing and proposed satellite internet options in almost every way. Satellite internet serves customers who have no other available internet options, however by building a fiber-optic infrastructure, the Town of Estes Park is able to offer internet service with significantly better speed, reliability, and latency (speeds for loading data).

Residents and businesses of Estes Park have expressed a need for faster, more reliable internet. Most recently, our 2018 scientific survey told us that two-thirds of respondents wanted the Town to provide better internet service, their highest priority among 40 current and potential services. Private companies are unlikely to bring fiber-optic internet to Estes Park and surrounding areas due to the large up-front investment associated with the project.

In addition to faster, more reliable internet, Trailblazer Broadband service is an investment in the community. By investing in its own broadband service, the Town of Estes Park is keeping dollars in the community while also creating jobs and ensuring high-quality local support through Estes Park Power & Communications.

The Town of Estes Park is establishing community owned and operated broadband service, Trailblazer Broadband, a high-speed internet service that will ultimately be available to everyone served by Estes Park Power and Communications.

Broadband, by definition, is high-speed internet. Trailblazer Broadband service will be delivered over fiber-optic lines, resulting in more reliable service that is up to 100 times faster than existing options in the area.

– With fiber-optic broadband, multiple people are able to use the same internet connection without a loss of speed or connectivity.

– At home, residents will be able to work with ease, video chat with remote friends and family, stream movies, play games or music and much more.

– Local businesses will enjoy quicker uploads, downloads, increased cloud-based functionality, better collaboration with co-workers and clients and more reliable video-conferencing.

– Estes Park visitors will have more reliable internet to enjoy their favorite entertainment and check in with work while they are visiting.

We will build this fiber network anyway because our electric SmartGrid requires it and it is required to meet our renewable energy goals.

In March 2019, the Town Board approved the launch and initial funding of the community-owned and operated broadband service. The initial startup phase will take advantage of Estes Park Power and Communication’s Smart Grid fiber optics infrastructure, which already exists in specific neighborhoods and is currently under construction in others.

In late 2019, a bond issuance is planned to fund the four-year buildout of the utility — across the entire Power & Communications service area in Estes Park, Glen Haven, Allenspark and portions of the U.S. 34 and U.S. 36 corridors to the east. To ensure the business is funding itself, the order of service additions will be based on the construction cost and revenue potential.

Beyond that, your rate payments for service go right back into running, maintaining, and expanding the system because this is your community-owned broadband.

Trailblazer Broadband service will be the only high-speed internet service delivered over fiber-optic lines, resulting in the fastest and most reliable option available to residents and businesses of Estes Park.

Yes – we’re in good company! In 2017, Longmont became Colorado’s first “Gig” city in the country. Ft. Collins and Loveland are also implementing their own network.

For additional perspective, more communities than ever are embracing building their own broadband networks as an alternative to private-sector providers. More than 750 communities across the United States have embraced operating their own broadband network, are served by local rural electric cooperatives, or have made at least some portion of a local fiber network publicly available. These networks have sprung up across the nation as a direct reflection of the country’s growing frustration with sub-par broadband speeds, high prices, and poor customer service.

According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit that advocates for local economies, there’s now 55 municipal networks serving 108 communities with a publicly owned fiber-to-the-home Internet network.

Source: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/a3np4a/new-municipal-broadband-map, Jan 23, 2018.

Yes, your automatic payment will be charged to the credit card or bank account that you entered when you signed up for service. You will receive a reminder before your account is charged and a payment confirmation email when that payment has been processed.

We can provide you a paper bill; however, most of our customers feel that the automatic monthly payment option by credit card is the fastest, easiest and most secure way to pay (and saves you the cost of a stamp). You still have complete control of your payment options and can change your payment method at any time through your online account. Invoicing is available for our business customers.

When you sign up for service, you will enter a credit card or bank account information. At the time of sign up, you will be charged a prorated amount for the days of service in the current month (from installation date forward) and any applicable installation fees (waived for Mountaineer members). Then, on the first of each month, your monthly fee for internet as well as phone and managed wifi if applicable, will be automatically charged/deducted from your account.

Utility payments and broadband payments are billed and collected separately.

Yes, you can change your payment method by contacting our Customer Support team at 970-577-3770.

The standard installation fee for service is $89.95; however, if you are able to take advantage of our Mountaineer Discount, that fee will be waived.

Pre-installation takes place outside your residence between the time you sign up for service and your in home installation. You will receive an email when pre-installation is complete. This email will also include a reminder of your in home installation date and time.

After signing and selected your installation date and time, you will receive an email with a confirmation of the time and date. You can go into your account online at any time to check the installation schedule if you forget. If you need to change your appointment or need further assistance, please call our Customer Support team at 970-577-3770.

Installation occurs in two phases on two separate dates. Pre-installation brings fiber from curb to your home, followed by installation inside your home at a later date and time that you will choose when you sign up for service. You do not have to be home for pre-installation, but will need to be there for the In Home Installation at your scheduled time.

Trailblazer Broadband service includes the lease of an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) that facilitates your internet connection as well as wireless connectivity if you subscribe to our managed WIFI service. This equipment will need to be returned to Trailblazer Broadband if and when service is terminated.

The lease of the equipment is included with the service. We recommend using our provided equipment whenever possible to maximize efficiency and to aid in any troubleshooting that might be required in the future.

It is our goal to set up your service to your satisfaction during the installation appointment. We will connect to your existing router and ensure that your internet is functioning properly. If there is a custom request or something unusual about your existing configuration that requires additional time or a return visit, an additional fee may apply.

Yes, our managed wifi service with the corresponding router can be added to your account at any time. Select it from the service options when you sign up online, or call our Customer Support team at 970-577-3770.

The installer will help you determine the ideal location for your interior wall plate and the ONT during the appointment. In the meantime, it is a good idea to think about possible locations and to make sure that it is accessible. For best results, the ONT should be placed in a central location of the home near the main TV and/or computer. The area should have easy access, free of obstructions or heavy furniture and be near an exterior wall with at least two available electrical outlets.

If you wish to connect multiple devices within your home or use OnDemand or streaming TV services, a wireless router is essential. You can take advantage of our managed WIFI service when it becomes available, or if you prefer, you can use your own wireless router.

You do not have to be home for pre-installation which takes place outside your residence between the time you sign up for service and your in home installation. You will need to be present for the in home installation.

When you sign up for service online, you will be able to select a time and date for installation inside your home that is convenient for you.

Service will be offered on a month-to-month basis with no long term contracts.

We are evaluating phone service options at this time, and more information will be provided at a later date.

Trailblazer Broadband is a separate and distinct business operated and supported by Estes Park Power & Communications. The broadband service does not impact the cost of your utility service. Our electrical SmartGrid infrastructure for the Town’s electricity delivery system which is required to meet our renewable energy goals is adding to the efficiency of our utility and helping to streamline the buildout of our broadband service.

While we can’t guarantee that prices will NEVER change, we have analyzed what is needed to make the program successful and financially feasible. We don’t plan to change pricing but if that happens down the road, Mountaineer customers will always have a lower rate than the standard published price as long as your account at that location remains open and in good standing.

If you sign up within 90 days of service availability in your area, you will receive our Mountaineer Discount pricing. As a Mountaineer customer, you will always have a lower rate than the standard published price as long as your account at that location remains open and in good standing.

If you intend to connect more than one device to your new Trailblazer Broadband service, it is important to have WIFI in your home, so you can connect devices in various rooms without cords.
Managed WiFi (cloud-enabled WiFi) is even better because it allows our Trailblazer Broadband team to provide better support through remote troubleshooting and improved network performance, utilizing cloud-based monitoring and administrative tools. It also allows you to log into your online account anytime to check your internet speed or the usage of various devices you have connected in your home.

Residential pricing if you sign up for service within 90 days of service availability in your area is $69.95/month which is a $20 savings off the standard rate of $89.95. This includes up to 1 Gbps upload and download speeds, no data caps and no long-term contracts. The standard $89.95 installation fee is also waived. Managed wifi service may be added for only $6.95 per month. The leasing of necessary equipment is including in this pricing.

We are planning to offer a seasonal option for residents who are not in the area full time. Details of this program will be provided as soon as it is available. You can go ahead and sign up for service now, and then add this option when it becomes available.

No. Trailblazer Broadband service is separate from your utility service. You make the decision about whether the faster, more reliable internet service is right for you.

Yes! With Trailblazer Broadband, you can subscribe to services from Live TV and OnDemand Streaming providers to continue enjoying your favorite shows and movies, sporting events and even local news! Even better, these options are often far less expensive than traditional cable offerings. Most offer free trials so you can try them with no obligation and find the perfect fit for you! Learn more about cutting the cord [link to appropriate webpage].

We are putting together several options for our business customers so that we can offer a plan that best suits your needs.

There will be small business plans and enterprise plans for larger business, as well as customized options based on your needs. We will be reaching out to individual businesses and you can contact us our Customer Experience Manager, Kim Smith, at 970-577-3564 for more information in the meantime.

You can actually SAVE money by subscribing to Trailblazer Broadband and cutting the cable cord, and potentially your phone cord as well.

– When you consider the cost, consider not only your internet service, but your cable and phone bill also.

– With Trailblazer Broadband, instead of paying upwards of $100 each month for a variety of TV channels that you don’t watch, replace your traditional television service with streaming TV at a fraction of the cost. By canceling cable and making the switch to streaming entertainment, people save hundreds of dollars annually.

Finally, fiber broadband is not just about speed, it is largely about reliability and continuity. If you’re like many area residents and businesses, you have experienced the inconvenience of not having internet when you needed it at some point. Trailblazer Broadband’s fiber-optic lines provide the fastest and most reliable option available to residents and businesses of Estes Park.

In building a world-class broadband infrastructure, we want to make sure we do it right.
While we would love to provide service to everyone immediately, we are building a new fiber network that takes time – in this case, up to 5 years – to plan effectively and to build efficiently. There are 3 main considerations: customer density, constructability and our mountains. As you can imagine, we face unique challenges building through our beloved mountains and rocky terrain to serve an area larger than Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont combined.

For those reasons and to ensure sustainability for all concerned, we appreciate your patience, understanding, and support of the project as we move toward your area.To see approximately when your area is slated to receive service, please refer to our planned Construction Map.

To see approximately when your area is slated to receive service, please refer to our planned Construction Map.

Over the next 3 to 5 years, service areas will radiate from the core area of the Estes Valley. The initial startup phase will take advantage of Estes Park Power and Communication’s smart grid fiber optics infrastructure, which already exists in specific neighborhoods and is currently under construction in others. Every 3 to 6 months as construction progresses, we will announce which areas will receive service next.

Be sure to fill out our Interest Form [LINK] to receive broadband updates based on your address. There’s no obligation or commitment, but you will also be one of the first to receive notice when service is available in your neighborhood.

In building a world-class broadband infrastructure, we want to make sure we do it right. While we would love to provide service to everyone immediately, we are building a new fiber network and that takes time – in this case, up to 5 years – to plan effectively and to build efficiently. There are 3 main considerations: customer density, constructability and our mountains. As you can imagine, we face unique challenges building through our beloved mountains and rocky terrain to serve an area larger than Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont combined.

For those reasons and to ensure sustainability for all concerned, we appreciate your patience, understanding, and support of the project as we move toward your area. To see approximately when your area is slated to receive service, please refer to our planned Construction Map.

While we would like to provide service to everyone immediately, the build out of service will continue over the next 3 to 5 years. To see approximately when your area is slated to receive service, you can look at our planned Construction Map. These are broad timeframes that are always subject to change, but will give you an idea of how to manage your current contract and when you might want to explore month-to-month options with our current provider to avoid any long term commitments with their service. You can also fill out the Interest Form on our website to receive periodic updates. When we get closer to construction in your area, you will be the first to know and can plan accordingly.

As the build out continues, we will be contacting all Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs), development communities and apartment complexes with details on how to provide service to their residents. We will need to get permission from property owners prior to signing up anyone who is renting and would like to sign up for service.
Let your landlord, HOA or property manager know that you are interested in having Trailblazer Broadband.
Also, be sure to fill out our Interest Form to receive broadband updates based on your address. There’s no obligation or commitment, but you will also be one of the first to receive notice when service is available in your neighborhood.

Yes! Renters must have written approval from the property owner prior to signing up for service. We have a form that owners should sign if they want their renters to have permission to sign up for service. The best way to get started is to fill out the Interest Form on our website to receive periodic updates and to be among the first to know when service is available in your area. We will help you coordinate permission from your landlord at that time as well.

No problem! Call our Customer Support team at 970-577-3770 and they will resend the link to provide you with access to sign up online.

Sign up and installation will be easy, with minimal equipment installed by the Town’s dedicated support technicians.

– Step 1: Even if service isn’t available in your area yet, stay up-to-date on service availability based on your address and pre-register to be one of the first to receive service when it is available. If you haven’t already done so, visit [WEBLINK NAME] now and sign up for updates.

– Step 2: You will receive an email invitation when service becomes available at your address. Simply click on the link provided to sign-up for service. If your link is not working of lost, contact us to have your link resent.

– Step 3: Create your online account & schedule your installation date. You will also be able to set up monthly autopay in your online account.

– Step 4: Estes Park Power & Communications will install your service in two separate steps:
Pre-Installation to run the fiber from the curb directly to your home.
In-home installation to connect your service inside.

– Step 5: Enjoy your faster, more reliable internet.

Positioning of your ONT (or your wireless router, if you are using your own device) can impact the WIFI signal you receive in various parts of your home. Placing the device in the center of your home reduces wasted coverage area and eliminates unnecessary distance between the unit and any connected devices on the outside edges of the coverage area. Ideally, it will be within sight of wherever you sit and use the Internet most.

Yes, we can schedule an appointment to move your ONT/modem. Depending on where you would like to have it, a fee may apply.

That may be because of the equipment you are using. Some computers and devices are not equipped for higher speeds.

Here are some recommended standards for getting the most out of your high speed internet:
For Speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second
Operating System:
Windows 10 (64 bit) or newer or Mac OSX 10.8 or newer. Visit the Microsoft Windows lifecycle fact sheet or Mac OS X Support overview for their latest operating system information.
Browser:
Google Chrome 56.0.2924, Microsoft Edge (64-bit), Mozilla Firefox 52 (64-bit) or Safari 8 or newer. For more information about different browsers or to download a new one, visit whatbrowser.org.
Ethernet Cable:
Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable.
Ethernet:
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet interface or adapter for wired connection
CPU/Processor:
Intel Dual Core i5 or better or AMD Ryzen 5 or better
Memory:
8 GB of RAM minimum
Hard Drive / Space:
64 GB or larger SSD recommended to achieve maximum download speeds

The installer should have left that information with you at the time of installation. If you didn’t receive one or can’t find it, you can locate this information by logging into your Trailblazer Broadband account.

Go to www.trailblazerbroadband.com.
Click on “Account in the upper right hand corner.
Enter your user name and password. HINT: Your user name is your email address.
If you have forgotten your password, there is a link and instructions to reset it.
After logging in you will be able to view your network information and change your network password if you choose to do so.

If something is not working properly, here are a few things to check that could result in a simple, quick resolution.
– Ensure power is connected to all devices.
– Ensure power button is switched to “On” on your modem (ONT) – Confirm that all cables are plugged in properly. To be sure, you may want to disconnect and reconnect them.
– Check for power & service indicator lights.
– Ensure you are connected to the proper WIFI system.
– Logout and back into your WIFI system.
– NOTE: If you need your password, it can be found from within your broadband account at www.TrailblazerBroadband.com>Account.
– Make certain your account is up to date on payments by logging into www.TrailblazerBroadband.com>Account.
– Check our status page (Coming soon!) for any known outages or issues: https://status.goestesbroadband.com.
If you still need assistance, we’re here to help! Call us at 970-577-3770.

In most cases, connecting a device to your home network is easy. A managed wifi connection is is available with Trailblazer Broadband. This option is needed if you wish to connect multiple devices wirelessly.

Although each device is somewhat different, these simple steps should get you connected.

On your device:
– Go to Settings
– Select the option most closely related to one of the following: Network – Connectivity – Internet Connection
– Select WIFI Connection option
– When prompted, enter the wifi name and password that are listed in your Trailblazer Broadband account
– Wait for the indication that the device is “connected”
You can perform these same steps in a wired configuration by connecting your device to the modem with an ethernet cable.

If you want to connect a device that does not have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can purchase a WiFi adapter that plugs into your computer’s USB port.

Yes many people are moving to streaming and on demand TV options. You can learn more about these on our website under Resources