Garfield County to introduce high-speed internet to rural Colorado

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KJCT) - Garfield County is looking to introduce Front Range broadband providers to customers on the Western Slope.

Maverix Broadband, a Parker, Co. internet company, provides high-speed internet to certain counties such as Douglas and Elbert. However, Garfield may soon join the list.

“We are hopeful,” said Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “We’ve been working on trying to get internet to as many citizens as possible.”

According to Jankovsky, most municipalities in Garfield County are equipped with internet providers. However, they want to prioritize those in rural areas.

“It allows people to work from home in those remote areas and connect to the outside world,” he said.

Examples of people who may benefit from this service include ranchers, farmers, students, and employers.

Jankovsky said Garfield County has worked on implementing high-speed internet in these areas for 4 years. They have partnered with Region 10 to bring these services to Delta and Montrose.

The county sent a letter of support and a grant application from Maverix to receive funding for the service.

The application must be approved before the service can be introduced.

“If individuals, families, and companies cannot get internet service, then they’re left behind, and they’re not competitive,” he said. “I think it’s important for Colorado, and for the nation that we be competitive with, with the other countries of the world.”