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from: Colorado Confidential

Telecom Campaign Money Shifts to Democrats in Net Neutrality Fight

January 30, 2008
By Dan Whipple

As the new Congress considers legislating network neutrality for internet service providers, telecoms in Colorado are piling on the campaign cash for Democrats who will decide the issue. Campaign donations from telecoms in the state have shifted dramatically from Republican candidates to Democratic ones over the 2004-2008 election cycles.

from: Denver Business Journal

Qwest changes course on cable franchise agreements
Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:57 AM MST

Qwest Communications International Inc. no longer will pursue cable franchise agreements with Colorado cities or build communitywide TV service in areas where it's recently won franchise approval.

from: Denver Post

Qwest move spurs surprise
By Kimberly S. Johnson
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/19/2007 02:01:04 AM MST

Local leaders said Tuesday they were surprised to learn that Qwest would no longer pursue cable-franchise agreements at the state or municipal level, as the company was taking steps to gain support for legislation that would have allowed it to do so.

from: Denver Post

Qwest focus in '08 on Web
The new CEO says the telecom will spend $300 million to boost broadband speed rather than roll out a costly television service.
By Andy Vuong
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/18/2007 12:24:45 AM MST

New Qwest chief executive Ed Mueller on Monday unveiled his strategic plan for the company, which doesn't stray far from the path laid by his predecessor.

from: Rocky Mountain News

Qwest's push for cable-TV bill gets an ally

By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Thursday, December 6, 2007

Qwest is taking another stab at statewide cable-TV franchise legislation, this time with a key Democrat in its corner.

from: Rocky Mountain News

Changes in city councils could aid Qwest
Arvada, telco set tentative hearing on video franchise
By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Saturday, December 1, 2007

Qwest Communications is getting a fresh start in municipalities such as Arvada in its efforts to win TV franchises.

from: Rocky Mountain news

Qwest playing hardball to gain cable franchise

By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News
August 7, 2007
Qwest Communications, rebuffed in previous efforts to land cable TV franchises in Colorado, is now playing hardball.

The Denver telco is giving the city of Arvada 90 days to decide whether to accept a video franchise application.

from: Denver Business journal

Qwest wants video franchise in Arvada

The Denver Business Journal - 3:26 PM MDT Monday, August 6, 2007
by Greg Avery
Denver Business Journal

Qwest Communications International Inc. seeks its second video franchise agreement with a community in its headquarters city and is making use of federal rules designed to make the process move quickly, the company announced Monday.

Note: Apparently Qwest feels telling cities where they plan to provide service is a violation of their corporate privacy. We feel such information is essential to preventing the red-lining of portions of communities in addition to allowing the municpalities to best manage the protection of public rights of way.

from: MultiChannel News

from: Eldo Telecom

Saturday, May 12, 2007
Colorado video franchise fight reveals true goal of provider "competition," Comcast's hypocrisy

Here's an interesting story from the Rocky Mountain News that illustrates what the real competition between cable companies and telcos is all about. It's not about which can capture the most customers in a given market -- the traditional measure of market competition -- but rather who can force the other guy to provide service to everyone in a given local government jurisdiction.