Bijou Telephone- With you into the future

For more than a century, Bijou Telephone has proudly served our community. Since our founding in 1917, we’ve watched communication evolve dramatically, from subscriber-owned lines, to the early days of dial-up internet, to today’s reliable fixed wireless internet. Through every technological shift, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to helping our community stay connected.

Now, we’re excited to walk with you into the future once again.

A New Vision for Byers: The 20-Year Subarea Plan

In December 2025, Arapahoe County approved the updated Byers Subarea Plan, a comprehensive vision for the next twenty years of growth, development, and community investment. The plan serves as an official guiding document for land use, infrastructure, transportation, and economic development for Byers, replacing the original 2003 plan and updating policies that no longer reflect current needs or realities. The updated plan sets a planning horizon to 2045 and provides a community-supported vision for preserving rural character while preparing for responsible growth.

The Subarea Plan outlines several important long-term goals, including:

• Preserving Byers’ rural and small town character, a priority identified repeatedly through community surveys and open-house feedback.

• Managing growth in a deliberate, controlled way that protects quality of life for families, seniors, and future residents.

• Identifying future land uses, transportation needs, and open space opportunities to ensure the community is ready for future development along the I70 corridor.

• Supporting economic development, including exploring an Enterprise Zone designation to assist local businesses with state tax credits.

Public engagement played a major role in shaping the plan. Arapahoe County held multiple open houses and conducted community surveys—both English and Spanish—to ensure residents’ voices guided the recommendations.

Why Growth Matters: More Residents Strengthen the Community

The Subarea Plan recognizes that well managed growth is essential for sustaining a vibrant, resilient community. And that’s where you, our neighbors, play a key role.

When more people live in an area, more residents contribute to the local tax base. This increased revenue helps communities build and maintain vital infrastructure, including:

• Streets and roadways

• Sidewalks and pedestrian safety features

• Water, sewer, and utility systems

• Parks, open spaces, and recreation amenities

These projects don’t just improve daily life; they make the community more attractive to new families, visitors, and businesses, which in turn creates a healthy cycle of continued investment.

Byers updated Subarea Plan identifies specific opportunities for infrastructure improvements and outlines short, medium, and long-term actions the County may take as population changes and development occurs.

With anticipated growth continuing to expand eastward from Aurora, preparing now ensures that Byers develops on our terms, protecting what we love about our town while embracing new opportunities.

Bijou Telephone: Your Partner in a Connected Future

As Byers looks ahead to the next twenty years, Bijou Telephone is honored to support the community through this exciting chapter.

Whether it’s delivering reliable broadband, supporting local initiatives, or helping families stay connected, we’re here, just as we have been since 1917.

The future of Byers is bright, and together we can build a stronger, more connected community for generations to come.