Eli Pace / epace@summitdaily.com
A panel of lawmakers studying gaps in cell service in Colorado is looking for ways the state can improve connectivity. On Tuesday, lawmakers made their first requests for possible policies to address the problem.
The Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, which consists of six legislators and six non-voting members, was formed this year by a legislative request from two members of the committee: Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver.
“I am working hard to create a future where no one in our state has to question whether their cell phone will be able to make an emergency call,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, a Steamboat Springs Democrat and chairwoman of the committee.
The committee has met four times to date and heard presentations from experts in the telecom, broadband, wireless industries, along with representatives of various Colorado state agencies.
Late. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, and Sen. Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne Wells, are also members of the committee. The six non-voting members appointed by the governor are representatives of the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation and the cell phone industry.
On Tuesday, lawmakers gave law writers general concepts for policies they are interested in considering.
Here are the four legislative proposals from the committee members:
1. The first bill, brought by Roberts, would have the state generally explore how its agencies could be more formally involved in helping with cellular connectivity in Colorado.
Soper said he would also like to help develop the bill.
2. The second idea, proposed by Soper, would require the state to provide incentives to cell phone companies, including subsidies and property tax exemptions and reductions for underserved areas of the state. Bacon supported the proposal, and Henrichson said he would like to collaborate on the idea.
3. Lukens proposed a third bill that would try to improve the cell phone tower permitting process and other regulations. Soper and Bacon will work with Lukens on the bill.
4. Soper requested the final bill, which would consider ways to deter theft or damage to cellular and critical communications infrastructure in the state.
The bill does not yet have many details and will be worked out between the legislators and the drafters.
The committee, which can only recommend three bills for the 2025 legislative session, is due to hold another meeting this year to discuss the draft bills on October 1.
The legislative session, in which the bills will be considered by the 100-person Legislature, begins in January.