Cable Franchise

The City has a non-exclusive cable franchise agreement in effect with the local subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. It became effective on March 17, 2006 and expires on March 16, 2015.

The City’s Government Access Channel, Cable 14, is available with all Comcast cable television packages. On January 22, 2008, a call to Comcast Customer Service revealed that the cost for cable television service (without internet or telephone services) ranged from $14.99 per month for the basic tier to $112 per month for the most comprehensive tier. For complete information on all currently available packages and their pricing, call Comcast Customer Service at 1-800-266-2278.

Some key elements of the franchise are:

• Service area: The franchise requires that Comcast provide service to all residents within The City of Fort Collins. There may be charges for installation depending on the specific circumstances of each residence; please contact Comcast for details.
• Comcast Work: Comcast has the right to occupy and access right-of-way easements located adjacent to both subscriber and non-subscriber property to install and maintain their cable infrastructure. Comcast must provide notice when undertaking such work and the notice requirements are set out in the Customer Service Standards.
• Programming: Pursuant to federal law, the City cannot require specific programming (other than that the company must provide diverse programming), influence the cost of service, or regulate other services provided over cable (such as high speed internet and digital voice services).

Concerns or complaints related to the franchise or Customer Services Standards should be directed to the City’s Franchise Administrator, Carson Hamlin, at 221-6510

Cable Franchise Agreement & Related Documents:

• Cable TV Franchise Agreement with Comcast Cable (January 17, 2006; PDF/59 pages; 165KB)
• Customer Service Standards Cable Television (PDF/23-pages; 78KB)
• Cable Television Community Needs & Interests Assessment Survey Results
  prepared by Constance Ledoux Book, Ph.D. (January 2004; PDF/23-pages; 73KB)
• Review of the Comcast Fort Collins Cable System Technical Characteristics
  prepared by Dick Nielsen, Senior Engineer, CBG Communications, Inc. (January 30, 2004; PDF/6-pages; 46KB)
• Cable Television Needs Assessment Report
  prepared by River Oaks Communications Corporation (February 10, 2004; PDF/50-pages; 46KB)