December 2025 BEAD Update: An Important Step Forward
The Town of Estes Park and Trailblazer Broadband are excited to share an important update on Colorado’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has officially approved Colorado’s BEAD Final Proposal—an announcement delivered last week by the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO). This statewide milestone is a key step toward releasing $420.6 million in federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding, which includes support for Trailblazer Broadband’s proposed expansion to eligible unserved and underserved areas in the Estes Valley. Final grant awards and contracts, however, have not yet been issued.
“This is an important step not only for Estes Park, but for communities across Colorado that have been working toward equitable access to reliable internet,” said Reuben Bergsten, Director of Utilities for the Town of Estes Park. “We remain cautiously optimistic about this opportunity. If Trailblazer is ultimately awarded BEAD funding, it will help us extend high-speed, fiber-based service to residents and businesses who currently lack adequate options. We also recognize that many of our Phase 4 residents have been waiting a long time, and we appreciate your patience as the local, state and federal processes move forward.”
Trailblazer Broadband, the community-owned fiber-optic service provider for the Town of Estes Park, has been engaged in the BEAD process for more than two years. Earlier in 2025, Trailblazer completed the reapplication process for the “Benefit of the Bargain” round of the BEAD program. Prior to that, Trailblazer had received a preliminary grant award through the State of Colorado’s BEAD program. Our proposed BEAD projects are included in the state’s plan, but funding is not guaranteed until the State of Colorado and Trailblazer execute a formal grant agreement. For Phase 4 areas not covered by BEAD eligibility rules, future expansion will continue to be driven by revenue and any additional funding opportunities.
According to the CBO, the BEAD program’s approval is the result of years of planning and coordination and represents a direct investment in the future of Colorado communities. Statewide, more than 96,000 Coloradans are expected to gain access to high-speed internet as a result of this historic funding.
Key elements of Colorado’s BEAD deployment include:
- 48% Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP): The fastest and most reliable broadband technology, prioritized where feasible.
- 50% Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite: Essential for the most challenging and remote mountainous regions.
- 2% Fixed Wireless: Supporting deployment in areas where fiber or satellite are less optimal.
Trailblazer Broadband’s proposed BEAD project focuses exclusively on expanding fiber service to eligible unserved and underserved residents in the Estes Valley. With NTIA’s approval now secured, the next steps involve a 20-day review by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), followed by a 30-day state review and signature period. Only after those steps are complete can the CBO begin issuing grant agreements and releasing funds. At that time, Trailblazer must complete the contracting process, compliance coordination and assessing and adjusting detailed project area design plans before any construction timelines can be set.
“We created Trailblazer Broadband to serve our community first,” said Estes Park Power & Communications Customer Experience Manager, Kim Smith. “If our BEAD projects move forward to a final grant agreement, that funding will support critical expansion work. We want to be honest with our neighbors: there are still multiple approvals, agreements, and planning steps ahead before we can commit to construction dates, but this is a very encouraging step in the right direction.”
The Town of Estes Park extends its gratitude to the Colorado Broadband Office and Colorado’s congressional delegation—especially Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Congressman Joe Neguse—for their leadership in securing this essential funding for rural and mountain communities.
As the state moves from planning to implementation, Trailblazer Broadband will continue working closely with the Colorado Broadband Office, local partners, and community stakeholders and provide updates as we move through each major milestone.
Residents can view Colorado’s full announcement, along with the BEAD Final Proposal Map showing broadband technology designations for each location, via the Colorado Broadband Office. The best way to stay informed about Trailblazer’s plans is to register your address at trailblazerbroadband.com so we can notify you directly when we have confirmed construction plans for your location.
For more detailed information on the BEAD funding process—and what it does and does not mean yet for Phase 4 neighborhoods—please visit our BEAD Grant Process & FAQs page, which will be updated as new information becomes available.