CC* Regional: Integrating the Colorado Western Slope Research and Education (R&E) Community into the National R&E Infrastructure

高速、可靠的网络基础设施对于组织在当今快速发展的科学和技术环境中蓬勃发展的能力至关重要。这种网络连接对于商业、科学、通信、全球协作、教育和外展的成功至关重要。科罗拉多州西坡落基山脉地区的网络连接面临挑战。该项目将汇集研究和教育(R&amp；E)利益相关者，以确定特定的需求领域，与公共和私人合作伙伴合作，确定基础设施和其他网络资源，定义要建设的网络的范围，并设计网络。利益相关者可从以下方面受益：获取有关改善网络连接的可用资源的知识、与区域和国家网络提供商建立关系、技术培训以及访问高性能网络连接。项目目标包括确保科罗拉多州和新墨西哥州北部农村地区未得到充分服务的人口拥有多样化的、受过良好教育的劳动力，并为学生提供最高水平的教育机会和资源。改进的网络接入支持经济发展和增长、增加多样性以及发展和扩大就业机会。项目团队识别和记录网络资源，并提供解决网络可行性、成本和部署问题的网络设计。该团队进行现场访问，以确定、记录和评估网络路径以及一次性和经常性成本。定期与利益相关者和供应商举行会议。计划举办一次研讨会，向利益相关者传授先进的网络工具和技术。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

High-speed, reliable networking infrastructure is vital to an organization's ability to thrive in today's rapidly evolving scientific and technical environments. Such network connectivity is essential for success in business, science, communication, global collaboration, education, and outreach. The network connectivity in the Western Slope Rocky Mountain region of Colorado is challenged. This project will bring together research and education (R&E) stakeholders to identify specific areas of need, work with public and private partners to identify infrastructure and other network resources, define the scope of the network to be constructed, and design a network. Stakeholders benefit from gaining knowledge of available resources for better network connectivity, building relationships with the regional and national network providers, technical training, and access to high-performance network connectivity. Project goals include ensuring underserved populations from rural areas of Colorado and Northern New Mexico have a diverse, well-educated workforce and that students are offered the highest caliber educational opportunities and resources. Improved network access supports economic development and growth, increased diversity, and development and expansion of employment opportunities.The project team identifies and documents network resources and provides a network design that addresses feasibility, costs, and deployment of the network. The team performs site visits to identify, document, and assess network paths, and one-time and recurring costs. Regular meetings with stakeholders and vendors are conducted. A workshop is planned to teach stakeholders about advanced network tools and technology.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.