Providing broadband for the Pagosa Springs region
Reliable broadband is essential infrastructure for business, education, healthcare, public safety, remote work, and everyday life. In rural southwest Colorado, expanding reliable connectivity requires coordinated investment in the infrastructure that private internet providers rely on to reach customers.
PSCDC manages the Archuleta County Broadband Services Management Office (BSMO), the community’s coordinating hub for broadband infrastructure and connectivity. Through the BSMO, PSCDC works with local governments, utilities, internet service providers, and regional and state partners to strengthen the network, expand access, and improve reliability across Archuleta County.
How the broadband model works
PSCDC does not provide internet service directly to homes or businesses. Instead, the BSMO helps develop and manage the shared infrastructure that makes better service possible. Community fiber, carrier-neutral facilities, utilities, and regional connections create the backbone, while private internet service providers connect to that infrastructure and deliver service to customers.
Community infrastructure
Community fiber, carrier-neutral facilities, utilities, and regional connections create the backbone.
Internet service providers
Providers connect to the shared infrastructure and deliver service to customers.
Homes and businesses
Providers deliver internet service to homes and businesses across Archuleta County.
What we’re proud to share
Strengthened the community broadband backbone
Over several years, we have worked through the BSMO and with public and private partners to expand community broadband infrastructure, connect strategic assets, and create a stronger foundation for reliable service across Archuleta County.
Our approach has focused on making the most of existing infrastructure, filling critical gaps, increasing network redundancy, and creating routes that internet service providers can use to reach more homes and businesses.
Read the full story
Built carrier-neutral facilities for providers
Through the BSMO, we have developed carrier-neutral facilities that give internet and telecommunications providers secure places to house equipment and connect to community fiber and other network routes. The Highway 160 CNL is complete and operational, while the Downtown CNL provides a second interconnection point in the community.
Together, these facilities help create a more flexible and resilient network by supporting multiple providers, connections, and routes through shared infrastructure.
Expanded opportunities for provider investment
Our broadband work has helped create the infrastructure, partnerships, and funding environment that make private-provider expansion more feasible in areas that can be difficult and expensive to serve.
Examples of provider expansion supported by this work include:
- Northern Pagosa Lakes / Hatcher area: Visionary Broadband fiber expansion serving more than 1,000 eligible addresses, including Hatcher, Chris Mountain II, and Village Lake.
- Southern Pagosa Lakes area: Clear Networks fiber expansion serving more than 550 addresses in areas including Meadows, Timber Ridge, Alpha, and other locations south of US 160.
Completing the regional redundant loop
We continue working through the BSMO and with regional partners to connect the remaining pieces of a larger redundant fiber loop across Southwest Colorado. The goal is to create multiple routes into and out of Archuleta County so broadband traffic is less dependent on a single connection.
Some infrastructure is already in place, including the Highway 160 carrier-neutral facility and portions of the regional fiber network, while other connections are still being completed or activated.
Building the workforce behind the network
Broadband infrastructure also requires skilled workers to build, splice, install, maintain, and operate modern networks. PSCDC has connected broadband investment with workforce development by bringing together employers, training providers, workforce partners, and state broadband resources.
Looking for internet service?
PSCDC and the BSMO do not sell internet service or install individual residential or business connections. Service availability depends on your location and the internet service providers operating in your area.
Check service at your address: enter your address in the FCC National Broadband Map to see which providers report service at your location. The map will show available providers and service information for that address.
Next step: choose a provider from the results and contact them directly to confirm current availability, pricing, speeds, and installation options.
For providers and infrastructure partners
The BSMO works with internet service providers, telecommunications companies, utilities, public agencies, developers, and other partners on broadband infrastructure and connectivity projects across Archuleta County.
Areas of coordination may include:
- Community fiber access and leases
- Carrier-neutral facility space
- Interconnection opportunities
- Infrastructure and route coordination
- Public-private broadband projects
- Regional connectivity partnerships
How broadband has changed the community
Follow broadband infrastructure milestones, provider expansions, partnerships, training opportunities, and regional connectivity developments.
Building the backbone: How Archuleta County created a different model for rural broadband
How PSCDC turned a volunteer-driven broadband effort into a locally managed infrastructure program that supports providers and growth.
Building the redundant loop: Strengthening broadband across Southwest Colorado
PSCDC helped unite regional partners behind more than $4 million in fiber investment to strengthen broadband reliability across Southwest Colorado.
Broadband is a partnership
Expanding broadband across a rural county requires coordination among public agencies, utilities, internet service providers, funding partners, and regional organizations.
Need to talk to the team?
Have a question about a program, a grant, or a project you are planning? Get in touch and we will help you find the right next step.
Contact us