A question on whether Fort Collins may get into the broadband business as a municipal utility will appear on the city’s ballot in November. If approved, the measure would allow but not require the City Council to establish a telecommunications utility to offer services such as high-speed internet. The utility could issue up to $150 million in revenue bonds to fund construction and operations of a fiber optic network.

To provide an open forum for discussion of both sides of this question, the Information Science and Technology Center (ISTeC) at Colorado State University will present a panel discussion on the Fort Collins Broadband Initiative: A Balanced Perspective, Thursday, Sept. 14, 4:30–6 p.m. in the Event Hall of Morgan Library on the CSU campus. It is free and open to the public.

The event will start with a factual summary of Longmont’s broadband initiative by Scott Rochat of Longmont Power.

At 5 p.m., Tim Tillson of Fort Collins will present in favor of the Fort Collins initiative; at 5:15 p.m., Joe Wise of Fort Collins will present arguments against it. General discussion will open at 5:30 p.m.

ISTeC is a university-wide organization for promoting, facilitating, and enhancing CSU’s research, education, and outreach activities pertaining to the design and innovative application of computer, communication, and information systems.