CO SB091

Creates an alternative permit process for broadband providers to access public rights-of-way, in addition to the existing public-private initiative agreement process.

Department of Transportation must approve or deny permit applications within 30 days and must allow competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory access to all broadband providers.

Permit terms are 30 years, and the department cannot require permit recipients to lay additional fiber, provide in-kind goods or services, or charge compensation for fair market value of rights-of-way (except if federal law requires it).

Department may impose only a one-time permit processing fee limited to its actual administrative costs, and must produce annual budgets and revenue forecasts for the permit program.

If fair market value compensation is required by federal law, the department must set rates no higher than the lowest rate established by any other state for broadband rights-of-way access.