DENVER, CO – Representative Meghan Lukens and Deputy House Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon today released the following statements on Committee for Preliminary Investigation into Mobile ConnectivityThe bipartisan interim committee is studying cellular connectivity issues in rural and historically underserved communities to develop legislation for the 2025 legislative session.

Chair Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs:

“Effective cellular connectivity is critical to public safety, job growth and quality of life in rural communities. This committee is working hard to investigate the root causes of connectivity problems in our state to close coverage gaps, especially in rural and mountainous communities.

“During today’s meeting, we spoke with industry experts, including a community panel that outlined some of the issues and challenges facing underserved communities. As we develop ideas for legislation, I am committed to working toward a future where everyone in our state can confidently rely on their cell phone in an emergency.”

Committee member, Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver:

“Cellular connectivity provides a sense of security, but marginalized communities in urban and rural areas have found it increasingly difficult to rely on cell phones when they need them most. We convened the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee to take a close look at the gaps in cell coverage across our state, including the areas most affected by unreliable coverage, and the impact on Coloradans.

“Solving connectivity issues won’t happen overnight, but committees like this one allow us to collaborate with industry experts and those most impacted as we work to craft future legislation that will put Colorado on the path to more reliable cellular connectivity.”