I_CPCIS_2024A 08/12/2024 10:10:04 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE CELL PHONE CONNECTIVITY INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE

Date

08/12/2024

Attendance
Bacon	X
Michael Blank	X
Eddie Castaneda	X
Bob Fifer	X
Hinrichsen	E
Kevin Klein	X
Guillermo Lambarri	X
Pelton R.	X
Roberts	X
Soper	X
Eli Veenendaal	X
Lukens	X

Time

10:10:04 AM to 03:30:05 PM

Place

Old State Library

This Meeting was called to order by

Lukens

This Report was prepared by

Adam Alemzada

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hCall to Order and Introductory Remarks	Committee Discussion Only
hWireless Infrastructure Association Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Telecommunications Association Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Broadband Office Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hSmall Cell Carrier Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hCommunity Panel	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Council of Authorities Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Counties Incorporated Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hPublic Testimony	Committee Discussion Only
hCommittee Discussion: Field Trips and Upcoming Hearings	Committee Discussion Only

Call to Order and Introductory Remarks - Committee Discussion Only


	10:10:14 AM	Representative Lukens, Chair, gave opening remarks.

Wireless Infrastructure Association Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	10:12:00 AM	Karmen Rajamani, Vice President, Government Affairs, Wireless Infrastructure Association, gave a presentation on wireless infrastructure. Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/importance_of_wireless_infrastrucuture.pdf
	10:32:23 AM	The panelist responded to questions from the committee.

Colorado Telecommunications Association Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	10:59:24 AM	Carrie Hackenberger, Executive Director, Colorado Telecommunications Association (CTA), gave an overview of CTA. She also discussed the current challenges and oppurtunities in the telecom industry. Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/cellphone_connectivity_interim_committee_081224.pdf
	11:10:08 AM	The panelist responded to questions from the committee.

Colorado Broadband Office Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	11:24:51 AM	Brandy Reitter, Executive Director, Colorado Broadband Office (CBO), and Michael McReynolds, Government Affairs, CBO, gave an overview of the CBO broadband funding, funding resources, and how that funding gets allocated. They also discussed the broadband connectivity issues in Colorado. The CBO website was used as a reference throughout the presentation: https://broadband.colorado.gov/
	11:46:21 AM	The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Small Cell Carrier Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	12:28:53 PM	Jon Becker, President, Industrial Tower West, gave a presentation on cellular connectivity sites in Colorado. He also discussed the challenges with building out cell coverage and how they can be addressed. Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/industrial_tower_west_presentation.pdf
	12:48:04 PM	The panelist responded to questions from the committee.

12:50:52 PM

The committee recessed for lunch.

01:40:15 PM

The committee reconvened.

Community Panel - Committee Discussion Only


	01:40:25 PM	Roxi McCormick, representing the Farm Bureau, discussed the impact of cellular service issues on farmers. She explained that farmers often have to carry two phones to stay connected and that emergency weather alerts may not reach farmers in areas with poor cell service.
	01:46:20 PM	Brett Vernon, representing the Leyden Rock Metropolitan District, discussed the impact that weak cell service has during emergency situations. He also discussed how their community is working to improve cell service.
	01:48:34 PM	Kris Mattera, Executive Director, Basalt Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation on wireless coverage concerns in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2024_stateofco_cellphonecommittee_pres_08122024.pdf
	01:56:42 PM	The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Colorado Council of Authorities Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	02:18:56 PM	Kimberly Culp, Chair, Colorado Council of Authorities (CCOA), gave an overview of the CCOA. She also discussed the impact of cellular connectivity issues on 911 calls and other emergency services. Their presentation can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/colorado_council_of_authorities.pdf
	02:30:30 PM	The panelist responded to questions from the committee.

Colorado Counties Incorporated Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	02:38:28 PM	Commissioner Warren Brown, Archuleta County, Commissioner Debbie Bell, Fremont County, Commissioner Matt Salka, La Plata County, and Commissioner Tim Redmond, Routt County, discussed how weak cellular service connections have affected their counties. They also discussed methods they've used to bolster cellular service.
	03:04:47 PM	The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only


	03:16:37 PM	There was no public testimony.

Committee Discussion: Field Trips and Upcoming Hearings - Committee Discussion Only


	03:17:08 PM	Representative Lukens gave an overview of the committee's upcoming field trip and discussed the bill draft process.
	03:22:10 PM	Sarah Lozano, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee on the bill draft process.

03:30:05 PM

The committee adjourned.