Aerial fiber networks are found in many parts of Colorado, where they provide essential connectivity to residents and businesses. Trace Fiber Services is one of the few Colorado telecom contractors that has the equipment, personnel, and experience to build and maintain Colorado aerial OSP networks.
Introduction: Delivering Fiber from Above in the Mountain West
Across Colorado, high-performance fiber networks transform how we live, work, and connect. While many of OSP networks are installed underground, a significant portion are deployed as aerial fiber networks. Elevated lines are cost-effective and fast to deploy. Aerial fiber lines are essential in Colorado’s rugged terrain and historically built environments.
At Trace Fiber Services, we’ve built a reputation as one of the Mountain West’s most capable and responsive providers of aerial fiber construction, maintenance, and emergency repair. Whether it’s upgrading networks or responding to damaged poles, we bring precision, speed, and safety every job.
What Are Aerial Fiber OSP Networks?
Aerial fiber networks consist of fiber optic cables installed above ground, typically mounted on utility poles. This method is often used in areas where underground construction is cost-prohibitive, logistically complex, or simply unnecessary due to existing aerial infrastructure.
Aerial fiber networks are typically deployed in one of three configurations:
- ADSS (All Dielectric Self Supporting) – ADSS aerial cables have an outer sheath that allows the cable to self-support itself. This makes installation easier and faster between utility poles. Additionally, ADSS cables are the only ones certified to work on the same towers as high voltage power lines.
- Catenary systems – these networks are installed with a tensioned support cable between utility poles and then the fiber hung from that wire. While new catenary network segments are rare today, they exist in many Colorado neighborhoods.
- Figure 8 configuration – Figure 8’s are most common in the utility space. These cables actually consist of two separate segments that look like a figure 8 from a cross-section. Figure 8 cables consist of a smaller cable that carries messenger cables and a larger bundle of fiber optic cables.
OSP aerial networks are commonly found in older neighborhoods, along rural highways, and in Colorado mountain town. These facets make aerial fiber a key part of Colorado’s broadband infrastructure.
Where Are Aerial Fiber Networks Found in Colorado?
Due to Colorado’s diverse geography and historic development patterns, aerial fiber plays a crucial role in many communities. Some of the most common areas include:
- Front Range cities with legacy utility pole infrastructure (such as Southern Denver, Denver metro, Centennial, Castle Rock, Arvada, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Littleton)
- Mountain towns like Leadville, Salida, and Estes Park, where rocky terrain make underground HDD boring difficult
- Rural counties using federal and state broadband grants to extend fiber with minimal disruption
- Foothill / mountain valley corridors such as Fraser to Granby to Grand Lake (though aerial doesn’t compare to fiber plowing for speed and cost effectiveness)
In all these locations, aerial fiber networks provide the backbone for high-speed internet, utility infrastructure, smart city tech, and emergency services.
Trace Fiber’s Aerial Construction & Repair Capabilities
Trace Fiber Services maintains aerial crews trained in pole work, fiber placement, and mid-span access. We operate a fleet of bucket trucks and stock each unit with climbing gear, PPE, and industry-standard tools to ensure safe, efficient operation.
Here’s how we deliver for our clients:
- Turnkey aerial construction from permit to punch list
- Integrated traffic control to plan and support field operations
- Emergency restoration, often with overnight response to fiber strikes or weather damage
- In-house fiber splicing and OTDR testing performed from mobile units
- Seamless coordination with utility pole owners and local jurisdictions
- Compliance with all relevant NESC and OSHA aerial work standards
Whether we’re building new service for a municipal utility or splicing back damaged fiber after a wind event, Trace crews are equipped to handle the unique demands of working above ground.
Recent Highlights: Colorado Aerial Success Stories
With hundreds of miles of installed aerial fiber in Colorado, there is no shortage of projects to keep those networks healthy. Trace’s aerial teams commonly work on emergency network restoration as well as maintenance of aerial OSP networks.
Emergency Restoration of Leadville Aerial Fiber Lines
In mid-2024, a driver lost control of their vehicle and slammed into a utility pole in Leadville. Once utility and emergency services crews made the scene safe to work, Trace Fiber aerial teams got to work on restoring local connectivity. These professional crews deployed with bucket trucks, lashers, and in-house splicing capabilities to minimize downtime. Once on-scene, Trace project managers established a game plan and executed efficiently to restore local network connections. Due to damage to the aerial fiber, many sections had to be replaced entirely to ensure that repairs would be long lasting.
Maintenance Upgrade of Colorado Suburban Aerial Fiber Network
During the summer of 2025, a local network operator needed to upgrade an installed aerial network (in preparation for a road widening project) in a Denver suburb. Trace Fiber worked with the pole owners to coordinate upgrades to the catenary fiber. Trace aerial teams worked through overgrown vegetation, old installation issues, and poor weather to rapidly deliver the network upgrade. Additionally, the network segment varied between aerial and underground installations, so Trace leveraged in-house HDD drilling crews to complete the underground portions.
Why Trace Fiber for Colorado Aerial Networks?
As a Colorado-based contractor, we understand the terrain, municipal permitting, and utility relationships that make or break an aerial job. Our crews are local, our standards are high, and our turnaround is fast.
Trace’s fleet of bucket trucks are specifically configured to perform aerial fiber construction and repair. All of our bucket trucks have Altec booms and contain a bench stock of common aerial components.
Whether you’re a broadband provider planning a new route, a municipality expanding coverage, or a network operator in need of a maintenance partner, Trace Fiber delivers safe, high-quality aerial work that holds up in the field.
Need Aerial Fiber Services in Colorado?
Let’s talk. From the Western Slope to the Denver metro area, Trace is ready to help you build or maintain your aerial network.
🌐 Visit trace-fs.com to request a quote