When Platte River installed its first fiber‑optic lines in the late 1990s, the goal was to strengthen the communication backbone needed to safely operate a modern electric grid. The board approved major investment in 1997–1998 to build a fiber loop connecting all four owner communities, enhancing reliability and preparing the system for increasingly digital operations.
What began as an infrastructure upgrade quickly became a regional advantage. The initial build produced more fiber strands than Platte River needed for power operations, creating “excess fiber” that would later serve community partners and support growing broadband efforts.
“We didn’t just build for the needs of the moment, we built for the future. That early investment continues to benefit the grid and our communities decades later”, says Jason Frisbie, General manager/CEO.
From grid necessity to community resource
The 1998–1999 installation delivered reliable communications for SCADA, protection systems and substation operations, capabilities that are still essential today. As cities modernized their technology, Platte River’s fiber supported shared systems, including hosting the customer information and billing system used by Fort Collins and Longmont beginning in 2011.
In 1998, Platte River’s board also authorized the organization to lease dark fiber within the local loops on behalf of municipalities, enabling partnerships with institutions such as Colorado State University. These agreements supported research, education and regional connectivity.
Strengthening broadband and public services
Over time, Platte River’s network grew into a neutral middle‑mile asset that supports government agencies, public safety organizations, healthcare providers and telecom carriers. Long‑haul fiber leases generated more than $660,000 annually by 2021, reflecting strong regional demand.
The network also helped accelerate municipal broadband. Because Platte River’s robust loops already linked the communities, local utilities could focus on last‑mile deployment, paving the way for successful systems now in all four communities. Nearly two decades ago, Longmont built out NextLight. Over the last couple years, the other three communities have been busy building out their services – Loveland’s Pulse, Estes Park’s Trailblazer and Fort Collins’ Connexion.
Preparing the grid of tomorrow
Today, Platte River’s fiber system continues to support the mission it was originally built for, safe, reliable grid operations, while enabling technologies that will define the future. Fiber provides the real‑time communication needed for distributed energy resources, DERMS, virtual power plant operations, cybersecurity and participation in the Southwest Power Pool’s Regional Transmission Organization.
Early investments made nearly three decades ago created a resilient communications backbone that empowers both the electric system and every owner community it serves. Platte River’s fiber network remains a clear example of how forward‑looking decisions continue to power progress today.