Vero Broadband presents project update

To help combat these issues, Vero Broadband built a network for Lake County School District back in 2018. 

In early 2022, the company purchased internet service provider FORETHOUGHT.net, which provides fiber connections for homes and small businesses. 

Forethought was already working on providing internet service to the Railyard development, and Vero hopes to continue this work in other Lake County communities, said John Wharton, market development manager at Vero Broadband, who provided project updates to the Board of County Commissioners during a work session on Sept. 15. 

The fiber network lines will be installed on the south side of town generally. The lines will extend as far west as Washington Street by McWethy Drive and roughly to Toledo Avenue on the east side. From north to south, the lines will run roughly from Eighth Street to Silver Drive.

Vero Broadband is currently submitting permits to Xcel to add new cables, said Wharton. If Xcel approves the permits, construction can begin this fall, ideally in the first weeks of October. 

Expanding internet services is part of the Leadville Lake County Economic Development Corporation’s goal to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem and create pathways to employment for community members, said Nancy Bailey, executive director of the organization. 

“We’ll be a lot more competitive in what we can offer in terms of remote work and business expansion going forward,” said Bailey during the work session. Some businesses that require additional bandwidth are paying upwards of $1,000 a month for unreliable internet, she estimated. 

Vero Broadband offers three different packages for both residential and business needs. Internet options for homeowners range from $60 to $100 per month. For businesses, the costs range from $100 to $200 per month. 

Wharton said the company also participates in the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a $30 monthly internet bill credit for low income families.