I recently visited lovely Colorado and spent time in Denver, where I experienced extreme internet envy over the fast speeds in the apartment where I stayed. Coming from New Mexico, where my choices are limited, Denver felt like a broadband wonderland. My Colorado internet experience blazed along thanks to Google Fiber Webpass, but it’s not my choice for the top ISP in Colorado due to limited availability. That honor goes to CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber as CNET’s pick for the best ISP overall in Colorado. CenturyLink’s (admittedly outdated) DSL service reaches far and wide across the state, but its affordable and desirable fiber offering can be found in the bigger cities.

CNET examines customer service, speed, pricing and overall value before recommending the best broadband in your area. You’ll find some fiber offerings in Colorado, but you’re more likely to run into cable provider Xfinity or CenturyLink DSL regarding wired internet. Fixed wireless ISPs primarily service the state’s gorgeous rural areas. Many small, local companies are working in this field, as well as Rise Broadband, a provider that services 15 other states.

Your internet options will be dependent on your location and can even vary quite a bit within the bigger metro areas. For example, Starry Internet, a fixed wireless ISP, mainly services apartment complexes, while CenturyLink Fiber is patchwork in its availability. Whether you’re in a super-modern Denver townhome or living in a log cabin in the forest, we’ve got ISP recommendations for you.

Best internet options in Colorado

An ideal provider will offer you fast, reliable internet at an affordable price. Ultimately, you’ll have to choose from the ISPs that service your location. That may mean fiber if you’re fortunate, or you may end up comparing cable, DSL, fixed wireless or even satellite internet offerings. It all starts with figuring out which ISPs can provide service to your home.

Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options — including prices and speeds — depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.

All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your price will be higher.

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CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber

Best overall among internet providers in Colorado

Or call to order: (877) 731-3490

Product details

Price range $30 – $70 per month Speed range 200 – 940Mbps Connection Fiber Key Info Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included with gigabit tier

CenturyLink and its Quantum Fiber brand take top honors for best ISP in Colorado due to the wide availability of its DSL network and its limited — but fast and reliable — fiber service. DSL is outdated and doesn’t always give users a premium internet experience, but it’s often available in areas with few other options. Fiber, on the other hand, is my top recommendation for an internet connection if you can get it.

Availability: CenturyLink’s slower DSL network is widespread across the state. Fiber is focused in parts of the bigger metro areas of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. CenturyLink Fiber/Quantum Fiber (it has different names in different places) is CNET’s choice for the top ISP in Denver.

Plans and pricing: CenturyLink’s DSL service, also an option for some more rural locations, runs $50 per month for speeds up to 100 megabits per second. Depending on location, top speeds may be dramatically slower than that. You can find a sweet deal for fiber at the $70-per-month level for 940Mbps with a modem included.

Fees and service details: Opting for the slower 200Mbps fiber tier will run you $30, but you have to factor in a $15-per-month modem lease fee or purchase one for $200 upfront. You can also provide your own modem. The DSL service has the same modem terms. There are no contracts with either the DSL or fiber service.

Read our CenturyLink home internet review.

Or call to order: (877) 731-3490

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Xfinity

Best cable internet provider in Colorado

Or call to order: (877) 498-5506

Product details

Price range $20 – $300 per month Speed range 75 – 6,000Mbps Connection Cable Key Info Data caps on some plans, lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers

Xfinity’s wide variety of plans and availability in many metro areas across Colorado make it my recommendation for the best cable provider in the state. CNET also gave Xfinity the nod for best overall internet provider in Colorado Springs.

Availability: CenturyLink and Xfinity are neck-and-neck in terms of the number of residential units they reach in Colorado, according to FCC data, with both hovering right around 77%. Xfinity is particularly prevalent down the state’s center from Fort Collins in the north to Trinidad in the south.

Plans and pricing: Xfinity kicks off at $20 per month for 75Mbps service with a one-year contract. That low-price plan isn’t necessarily going to be your best deal. Check out some faster plans that include Wi-Fi equipment and unlimited data. On the top end, you’ll find a 1,200Mbps plan for $70 per month with no contract required.

Fees and service details: Xfinity plans require some scrutiny. Some require contracts, some don’t. Some come with Wi-Fi equipment, others don’t. Many plans are saddled with a 1.2TB data cap, but some offer unlimited data. Also, watch out for price increases after your initial promotional period is up.

Read our Xfinity Internet review.

Or call to order: (877) 498-5506

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T-Mobile Home Internet

Best 5G home internet among ISPs in Colorado

Or call to order: (877) 687-6988

Product details

Price range $50 per month ($30 for eligible mobile customers) Speed range 72 – 245Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Key Info Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees

Verizon and T-Mobile are making moves on the national broadband scene with 5G home internet delivered wirelessly to your residence. It’s worth comparing them, but I’m giving T-Mobile an edge in Colorado due to its availability in many cities nationwide.

Availability: T-Mobile’s home internet service can be found in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Pueblo and Steamboat Springs, among other cities. Open slots may be limited depending on location.

Plans and pricing: Pricing is simple. T-Mobile’s plan delivers typical download speeds of 72 to 245Mbps with uploads in the 15-31Mbps range for $50 per month. That price dips to $30 when bundled with a Go5G Plus or Magenta Max voice line.

Fees and service details: There are no data caps, and equipment is included. T-Mobile charges a $35 service fee for setup, but keep an eye out for a $50 rewards card to make up for that fee.

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.

Or call to order: (877) 687-6988

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Rise Broadband

Best rural internet provider in Colorado

Or call to order: (877) 458-9550

Product details

Price range $45 – $65 per month Speed range 25 – 50Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Key Info Unlimited data on some plans, low price increase

Rise Broadband is a rural specialist. As a fixed wireless provider, its main competitors are satellite ISPs and other fixed wireless ISPs. A broad reach and speeds up to 250Mbps in some areas earn it a nod as the best rural ISP in Colorado. CNET has also recognized Rise Broadband as a top rural internet provider nationwide.

Availability: Rise’s primary presence in Colorado is along the Front Range, I-25 and I-70 corridors, and the Western Slope.

Plans and pricing: Rise’s basic plan is $45 per month for speeds up to 250Mbps (where available). You may only be eligible for speeds in the 25-50Mbps range. That price is good for new customers for the first 12 months, and then the monthly bill goes up by $10.

Fees and service details: Rise offers unlimited data with its promotional plan. Keep an eye out for a free installation offer as well. A $10 required equipment rental fee per month brings the introductory price up to $55.

Read our Rise Broadband home internet review.

Or call to order: (877) 458-9550

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HughesNet

Most reliable speeds for satellite internet providers in Colorado

Or call to order: (877) 400-0131

Product details

Price range $50 – $150 per month Speed range 25Mbps Connection Satellite Key Info No hard data cap, nationwide availability

Rural living in Colorado has many perks, but fast internet isn’t usually one of them. If you’re out of service zones for other wired or wireless options, satellite internet may come through. HughesNet has received recognition from CNET for its reliable speeds and gets a nod here as a functional — though not very fast — satellite option for rural internet. Compare it with Starlink, which may be able to deliver faster speeds to your location.

Availability: HughesNet is available across Colorado if you have a clear view of the southern sky.

Plans and pricing: Expect speeds up to 25Mbps. Pricing depends on how much data you want. It starts at $50 per month for 30GB on up to $125 per month for 100GB.

Fees and service details: When it comes to data allowances, there’s good and bad news. On the good side, HughesNet doesn’t have a hard data cap. However, your downloads may slow to a snail’s pace if you exceed your data allowance. Gear will cost you $450 upfront or a $15-per-month rental fee. There’s a two-year contract and a price hike after the first six months.

Read our HughesNet satellite internet review.

Or call to order: (877) 400-0131

Provider	Connection type	Price range	Speed range	Data cap	Availability
CenturyLink Home Internet	DSL	$50	3-100Mbps	None	Broadly across Colorado
Eastern Slope Technologies	DSL/fiber	$50-$130	6-1,000Mbps	None	Eastern Colorado
Edge Internet Service	Fixed wireless	$40-$100	10-200Mbps	None	Granby Ranch, Homestead Hills, Wolford Reservoir, Blue Valley Acres, Ute Pass, Green Mountain Reservoir
Elite Broadband	Fixed wireless	$50	25Mbps	None	Plateau Valley
Hilltop Broadband	Fixed wireless	$45-$165	4-50Mbps	None	Boulder, Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Larimer and Weld counties
Kellin Communications	Fixed wireless	$70-$200	15-300Mbps	None	Front Range and Western Slope
NETEO	Fixed wireless	$35-$110	10-50Mbps	None	Denver, Conifer, Evergreen, Morrison, Aspen Park, Pine Junction, Bailey, Allenspark
Rise Broadband	Fixed wireless	$45	25-250Mbps	None	Front Range, I-25 and I-70 corridors, Western Slope
Xtream Internet	Fixed wireless	$89-$129	25-40Mbps	None	Castle Rock, Crested Butte, Gunnison

1 World Solutions Technology News & Info

1 World Solutions Technology News & Info

Best Internet Providers in Colorado – CNET

`Best Internet Providers in Colorado - CNET`