Federal regulation stalls conduit installation on Cottonwood Pass

“It’s disappointing. This is the time to get it in the ground.”

by Crystal Kotowski

An unforeseen federal regulation has put a snag in the county’s plan to install a conduit on Cottonwood Pass, one of many efforts to address the long-discussed goals of internet redundancy and better broadband in the Gunnison Valley.

The commissioners first talked about the idea in November of last year, when Marlene Crosby, director of Gunnison County Public Works, outlined Century Link’s request to place the conduit on the pass. This latest development came as a disappointment to them.

Crosby told the Board of County Commissioners in February that the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) is not permitted to accept money from utilities; the original plan would have included a contract between the FHA and Century Link to lay the cable, with cost estimates reaching between $2 million and $3 million

“We are left with two choices,” Crosby explained. “One of two things can happen. We could have an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration and also with Century Link… The second and I think very risky alternative is to have the contractor and Century Link work together… I’m not supportive of that, at all. Frankly I’d rather see the conduit go away than have that as an alternative… I really don’t want the utility directly involved in the project.”

For the first option, Century Link would have to put the money into an account; it wouldn’t go directly to the FHA. Crosby and county attorney David Baumgarten had hoped to share a draft agreement for that option at the meeting, but Baumgarten hadn’t been able to gather enough information from the FHA to do so. As a result, Crosby asked the county for direction on the two choices.

“It’s disappointing,” commissioner Jonathan Houck said. “This is the time to get it in the ground.”

“I’m very supportive of getting the conduit in the ruling… We’ll design [the agreement] in a way to protect the county,” confirmed commissioner Phil Chamberland.

“It’s now, or not for a long time,” said Crosby, noting the plans to pave Cottonwood Pass this summer.

The commissioners reached a consensus to move forward with the agreement with the PHA, directing Crosby and Baumgarten to pursue the first option.