Fiber optic internet installation to begin in Pueblo West in November

Oct. 21—Construction is set to begin Nov. 15 on the first phase of high-speed fiber optic internet installation in Pueblo West.

Colorado City-based Rye Telephone Co., known as RTC Broadband, was recently purchased by ITC and its subsidiary Highline which has made expansion more economically feasible. RTC is part of a nationwide fiber-to-home internet service network.

RTC is set to start construction north of U.S. Highway 50.

Customers can expect the first phase of installation to be completed next year. Future phases will follow.

"We will prioritize future phases based on interest," said Lea Burns, marketing manager for Highline.

Residents interested in registering for the service can do so via the website rtc-broadband.com.

"We plan to offer speeds that have not been available to anyone in this area. We have a variety of tiers with speeds up to 2,000 megabits — that is two-gig download and two-gig upload — for prices as low as $69," a month, Burns said.

"We also have an affordability program for qualifying residents," she said.

While some Pueblo West residents are wary that RTC could charge much more than other internet providers, the company pledges affordable prices.

"RTC was one of the first companies in the nation to build fiber to the home, recognizing very early on that investing in the network would provide the most reliable connectivity for the citizens in its serving areas," Burns said.

Because Pueblo West residents have long struggled with inadequate or unreliable internet service, RTC Broadband has eyed bringing its service to the area for some time. Pueblo West's rapid growth has also helped make the project economically feasible.

"We have worked closely with Pueblo West for several years on how we can collaborate on broadband deployment," said Deb Rand, CEO of Highline South/West Region and RTC Broadband. "The COVID pandemic has further highlighted the disadvantages lack of real high-speed internet imposes."

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District earlier in October approved a memorandum of understanding with RTC to help make the project financially feasible for the company. The agreement calls for the company to pay a monthly $300 application fee for bulk right-of-way permits.

"This partnership to bring fiber to the home in this district is vital," said Pueblo West Board President Doug Proal. "We are eager to get construction underway and involve the people of Pueblo West so that they know gigabit Internet is coming."

More than 13,000 homes, as well as Pueblo West businesses, will be able to connect to the service.

"Remote school, work and telehealth are basic needs in today's world," said David Shipley, chief operating officer of Highline South/West Region and RTC Broadband. "We have been providing reliable fiber internet connectivity to areas of Pueblo County for over 20 years and are excited to expand into Pueblo West and finally bring the benefits of the technology supported by a local company and staff with a proven track record."

Atlantic Engineering Group designs and builds Highline's networks. Atlantic Engineering Group is currently building a fiber network in partnership with the city of Fort Collins and will use its Fort Collins team to build out the Pueblo West network.

"We are working on a sign-up form just for Pueblo residents, but are having developer issues, so we have been getting many orders through our standard service order forms," Burns said. "They can be accessed via the top header on the website and also on the Halloween themed banner where it says "Click Here to Sign Up"."

There also is another sign-up button at the bottom of the webpage as well.

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.