Telecommunications reform efforts, which have struggled for years to come out of the Legislature, could become a reality this session, under a package of bills that passed a House committee on March 25.

The package of five bills includes an effort to expand broadband development in rural parts of the state, through a $54 million funding measure that shifts money from an existing phone service subsidy.

The bills also seek to deregulate certain broadband technologies and would provide incentive to create broadband services in under-served parts of Colorado.

However, the bills are receiving opposition from groups representing senior citizens, who say transferring the subsidy that’s currently earmarked for basic phone service will give little incentive for companies to continue to provide landline service.

The components of the reform effort are similar to those that were included in a single bill that died in the Senate last year. This year’s effort looks promising, given its bipartisan support at the Legislature and the support of Gov. John Hickenlooper.

All five bills emerged from the House Business, Labor, Economic and Workforce Committee with bipartisan support. They now head to the Appropriations Committee.