Eventual relief may be in sight for cellphone users affected by the annoying holes in service in the Roaring Fork Valley and dead zones in places such as the Fryingpan and Crystal valleys.
Pitkin County has embarked on a study to find out where service is lacking and where there might be opportunities to install towers to boost cellular and broadband coverage.
“It became clear through the report findings that the county’s geography is extremely prohibitive in providing ubiquitous service,” said a recent memo from county staff members to the county commissioners. The county study collected 4 million data points throughout the area to determine where improvements are needed, according to County Manager Jon Peacock.
Nearly all carriers lack sufficient coverage in seven general areas of the broader Roaring Fork basin. Those are: along Highway 133 south of Carbondale, along Frying Pan Road east of Basalt, in a large portion of Snowmass Village, along Highway 82 east of Aspen, on Castle Creek Road, on Maroon Creek Road and on major portions of all four ski areas.
Now, the county is prioritizing sites to determine which to try to improve first. The Pitkin County Public Safety Council was consulted to find out where its efforts would be enhanced with increased service.