Electric Co-op Fiber Subsidiary Partners with School District

Steamboat Springs-based electric cooperative Yampa Valley Electric Association and its fiber internet subsidiary, Luminate, recently announced a project partnership with South Routt School District.

Luminate will help bring internet access and services to students, teachers and other district staff who currently lack stable and reliable internet for virtual learning. The district applied for and was awarded funds through the Connecting Colorado Students Grant Program that will assist in the buildout costs. Nearly 1,200 homes and district campuses will be set up with access to gigabit fiber. Service is expected to begin at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, serving the Oak Creek, Phippsburg and Yampa communities in northwestern Colorado.

District superintendent Rim Watson stated that the district is fortunate to have a partnership with Luminate and YVEA, as both entities understand the role of quality internet service in the success of students, some of whom had no internet access at all when school went remote in 2020.

Luminate is grateful to partner with the district for this necessary service, YVEA General Manager and CEO Steve Johnson said in a February press release.