By: Lindsey Pallares
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. The complaints are many and the options are few for city and county leaders looking to improve broadband internet across the Valley.
The City of Grand Junction will be the first of the Mesa County municipalities to attempt to regain their negotiating power with broadband internet service providers.
It’s been 10 years since Senate Bill 152 went into effect, taking away the power of city and county leaders to work with internet companies or share their broadband with their residents.
In April’s municipal elections, the Grand Junction voters will have the opportunity to cast their votes in favor of overriding this legislation and jump start partnerships to improve broadband.
“You pay so much money for a sub-par product so i think having options would be a really awesome thing,” says Shaun Tatum of Grand Junction.
If comes to improving internet in Grand Junction, Shaun Tatum says you can count on his vote.
He along with other longtime Grand Valley residents have lots to say about their broadband.
“It’s really slow and spotty,” says Shaun Tatum.
“I lose [connection] two or three times a week,” says Kristie Summers of Grand Junction.
The issue of reliable connectivity has risen to the top of county and city leaders’ agendas.
