Updates

Update 2/15/2022: The television channel 3 transmitter that Pitkin County receives from is not working properly. The owner has a temporary fix in place but intermittent outages will occur until the unit can be replaced this summer. These outages are out of Pitkin County’s control.

1/21/2022: The television channel 3’s are having issues at the source that Pitkin County receives them from. The broadcaster KREG is working to bring their source back on air. Once they are able to do so, the 3’s will once again be available from the Pitkin County translator network. We do not have an estimate for how long this outage will last and apologize for the inconvenience.

Happy New Year and welcome “real” winter! Pitkin County Telecommunications had many challenges this holiday weekend and they are continuing.

Due to a power outage at our Sunlight tower, television, FM radio and public safety radio services at other towers were disrupted. Holy Cross did a great job restoring power on New Years Day.

Unfortunately we now have some faulty equipment acting up at the Thomasville tower. Staff is currently working on this issue and any others that come up due to the recent snow storm.

Due to COVID restrictions the Telecommunications team will be working remotely until at least January 17. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Upper Red Mountain power outages may occur this winter affecting FM radio coverage in Aspen.

Upper Red is a solar powered telecommunications site. During heavy snow, ice or long periods of cloudy skies, the solar panels struggle to generate enough power to both charge our batteries and operate the equipment we have there. The site is very remote so it is difficult to access and clear off the panels during winter – something our team cannot commit to after every storm.

On the bright side, the batteries do recharge quickly under sunny skies so the site should restore itself soon after the sun comes out! We are planning an upgrade to our solar array and generator in Summer 2022 which should lessen the chances of outages, especially during the short days and low sun angles of winter.

Thomasville TV and broadband equipment has been installed. All TV transmitters are online and the full complement of channels is now available from the Thomasville tower site. Viewers in the Upper Fryingpan Valley will need to rescan their TVs.

Additionally, wireless broadband panels are now online. Residents in the Upper Fryingpan Valley should contact Pathfinder Broadband or Visionary Broadband to see if you are positioned to get wireless broadband internet at your location.

Thomasville site is now completed but still waiting on a few more pieces of equipment, (hopefully in about a week) to be fully functional. Currently there is limited TV available, channels 4, 18, 7 and 9. When the new equipment arrives the balance of available TV stations will be available and broadband will be ready to start up. Please call Pathfinder or Visionary Broadband to see if you are positioned to get wireless broadband internet at your location.