Colorado BEAD: 92 projects signed, $420.6m deploying — half the locations go to satellite

Colorado is among the most advanced states in BEAD delivery. The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) submitted its Final Proposal to NTIA on 3 September 2025; NTIA approved it on 8 December 2025; and the state’s plan has since passed the NIST review and had its award agreement signed, per Telecompetitor’s national tracker updated 9 September 2026 (source).

The numbers. Colorado was allocated $826.5 million in BEAD funding. Under NTIA’s Benefit of the Bargain restructuring, the approved plan unlocks $420.6 million to extend high-speed internet to more than 96,000 residents. The Colorado Broadband Office reports 92 projects across 25 providers, backed by nearly $638 million in total project costs — including $166.1 million in applicant match and $51 million in state match (source). The technology-neutral bidding process cut the required subsidy by roughly $400 million, holding the typical per-location subsidy below $12,980.

Technology mix. Colorado intends to connect 48% of eligible locations via fibre, 50% through low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite, and 2% via wireless providers. Fibre providers receive 91% of the funding, LEO providers 8%, and wireless 1% (source). The plan includes performance monitoring for LEO networks plus strict oversight: reimbursable funding, semiannual reporting and clawback provisions.

The bidding process. NTIA’s Benefit of the Bargain round ran from 7 to 21 July 2025 and drew 136 applications — 107 from previous applicants, 29 new — requesting $743 million plus $370 million in proposed matching funds, a combined $1.114 billion investment. Applications covered 97,149 of 97,155 eligible locations. Requests broke down as $403 million for fibre, $65 million for fibre combos, $260 million for satellite and $70 million for wireless (source).

Delivery status. The Environment + Energy Leader report notes the state has moved from planning into implementation, with NIST’s review followed by Colorado signing its agreement and beginning to issue grant contracts. The CBO ran a provisional-grantee webinar in December 2025 and a series of office hours through February 2026 covering milestones, fixed-price awards, network design, financial management, cybersecurity risk plans, financial surety, Buy America compliance and permitting — the plumbing of a programme entering construction (source).

Beyond BEAD. The CBO announced a separate $27.4 million broadband programme in spring 2026 to fill remaining connectivity and adoption gaps: up to 60% of funds for middle-mile infrastructure and up to 40% for last-mile projects, short-term construction and digital-access initiatives, with the first grant cycle opening 30 April 2026 and awards expected in autumn (source). That complements Colorado’s earlier Capital Projects Fund work and the $113.5 million in earlier rural broadband awards (source).

Deadlines and next steps. Subgrantees have four years to complete construction. The state’s stated goal is connecting 99% of residents to high-speed internet. As Broadband Communities noted in September 2026, NTIA is now directing BEAD’s unspent billions toward locations identified after final proposals were submitted — a potential further round for Colorado areas not yet covered (source).