There’s a stretch of road between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs where a coworker once had to download a file from a drive-thru parking lot because the client's office had satellite internet and large cloud files don’t play well with throttled speeds. He wasn’t even mad. Just tired. Because if you’ve lived in rural Colorado (or anywhere outside the glow of a major metro), you’ve probably pulled a stunt like that yourself. This isn’t about being “left behind.” This is about being flat-out ignored.
The Digital Divide Is Real—And It’s Still Wide
The FCC says 14-24 million Americans lack access to broadband, and spoiler: most of them aren’t in cities. But here’s the truth that stat doesn’t show you—there are millions more who technically “have internet” but can’t join a Zoom call without praying to the Wi-Fi gods first.
We hear it all the time:
“I’ve got service.”
“It just doesn’t work.”
You don’t need a PR campaign about closing the digital divide. You need a connection that actually lets you live your life, run your business, get your kids through homework without driving into town.
Why Fiber? Because the Old Stuff Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
Fiber internet for rural areas isn’t some fancy upgrade. It’s the minimum requirement if you want to:
- Work from home without pixelating into a Minecraft character
- Run security cameras that actually stay online
- Use smart home tech without shouting “Alexa?” into the void
- Run a business without a backup hotspot in your glove box
And no, we’re not knocking Fixed Wireless. We deploy both. (We love both.) But fiber’s the backbone. And when it’s available? You want it.
Here’s why:
- No bottlenecks. You get your full speeds—even when everyone’s online.
- No “good enough” excuses. Fiber can handle the tech of tomorrow without flinching.
- No weather tantrums. Fiber doesn’t care if it’s snowing sideways.
If your current “high-speed” service can’t keep up with Netflix and a smart thermostat at the same time, it’s not high-speed. It’s a placeholder.
What Pathfinder’s Doing (That the Big Guys Aren’t)
We’re not waiting for a press release. We’re already out there—with shovels, tower gear, and county permits in hand.
We’ve applied for BEAD funding to take real broadband deeper into Western Colorado. We’ve got endorsements from Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties. We’ve got local partners. And most importantly, we’ve got skin in the game—because we live here too.
Our plan?
Build out fiber internet for unserved areas, rural towns, ranchland, and edge-of-grid homes.
And no, we’re not asking you to sign three contracts or bundle in TV you didn’t ask for. We’re here for one thing: fast, reliable internet that doesn’t play games.
What You Can Do (Right Now)
You’re not helpless in this. In fact, you’re exactly who policymakers listen to when funding decisions are on the line. If you’re ready to push for better broadband in your community, here’s how to get started:
- Share your story with local and state lawmakers. Real experiences drive real funding decisions.
- Talk to your neighbors. If enough households show interest, we can prioritize your area.
And if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but nobody listens to rural folks like me,”—that’s exactly why we do.
This Isn’t Charity. It’s the Future.
We’re not here to “uplift underserved communities” with marketing buzzwords. We’re here to make sure your internet just works.
Because your zip code shouldn’t decide your bandwidth.
Because your business deserves better than lag.
Because your kid’s homework shouldn’t depend on driving to Starbucks.
You’ve waited long enough.
📞 Call 970.808.0000 or visit path-finder.us
We’ll bring the fiber. You bring the fire.
