- Discussion between the Montezuma County commissioners and the Southwest Colorado Council of Governments over broadband grants includes sharp exchanges but no resolution.
A discussion Monday between the Montezuma County commissioners and the executive director of the Southwest Colorado Council of Governments over broadband led to sharp exchanges but no resolution. The commissioners have voiced unhappiness that the county apparently must join the council, or COG, at a cost of $21,000 to be eligible for state broadband grants. The COG was formed in 2009 and now has 13 members, including La Plata and Dolores counties and several municipalities. On Monday, Cortez City Manager Shane Hale told the board COG membership has paid off for the city because sharing efforts is cost-effective, but said entities can’t join “a la carte” for particular projects. Commissioner Keenan Ertel asked if the county cannot participate in the broadband project if it doesn’t join, and director Miriam Gillow-Wiles said that was her understanding. County IT director Jim McLain said that decision was made by the state Department of Local Affairs to regionalize efforts, but Ertel called it blackmail. Suckla said broadband will have to be built through Montezuma County regardless to reach the other COG members, but McLain said it would cost the county more to use it if they aren’t part of the effort. Suckla said the county will try to see if it can opt into the COG for broadband alone.
