Broadband Initiative-Colorado-EAGLE-Net/Rotary

The undersigned strongly support approval and 100\% funding by the US Department of Commerce of the Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Grant Application dated March 26, 2010 for approximately $146 million (the Application). The Colorado Community Anchors Broadband Consortium (the Consortium) submitted the Application in conjunction with a related organization, Educational Access Gateway Learning Environment Network (EAGLE-Net). Further, I authorize the Rotary Clubs of Colorado to immediately deliver my signature on this petition to Senators Bennet and Udall, the Representative in the US House currently representing my district (based on my county of residence noted herein), Assistant Secretary of Commerce Strickling and President Obama.

All of Colorados K-12 schools throughout the state, in each and every rural portion of the statet as well as the metropolitan areas along the Front Range, have woefully inadequate Internet access, which is also far behind neighboring states. It is simply not economic for private enterprise to make such an investment and Colorados constitutionally restricted budgeting process precludes state government from doing so. The only viable way to bring adequate Internet access/capacity to our K-12 pubilc school districts in a reasonable period of time is approval of the Application.

Additionally, not only will a variety of other parties needing improved Internet access/capacity (e.g., first responders, local governments and cultural facilities) be directly connected if the Application is approved, but also virtually all Colorado Internet users, including residences and businesses, in Colorado are expected to ultimately benefit since local Internet service providers will then be able to cost-effectively provide such access/capacity.