FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
                                   WASHINGTON 

        
OFFICE OF THE 
  CHAIRWOMAN                                  July 27, 2023 
   
  The Honorable Lauren Boebert  
  U.S. House of Representatives  
  1713 Longworth House Office Building  
  Washington, DC 20515  

  Dear Representative Boebert: 

        Thank you for your letter on behalf of Hinsdale County, Colorado (Hinsdale or the 
  County).  You described the reduced coverage Hinsdale has experienced on its public safety 
  radio system since it transitioned from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels in accordance 
  with the Federal Communications Commission’s 2013 narrowbanding rules.  You also described 
  how Hinsdale’s mountainous terrain and largely remote areas limit the options available to the 
  County to increase coverage using narrowband channels.  Based on these factors, you requested 
  that Hinsdale be granted an exemption from narrowbanding that would allow it to operate using 
  wideband (25 kHz) channels.     
        Since receiving your letter, we have reached out directly to County officials to provide 
  guidance on the procedures for filing an application and request for waiver of the narrowbanding 
  rules.  On June 28, 2023, staff from the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau 
  spoke with Dale Meyers, Hinsdale’s radio technician, to discuss possible technical solutions and 
  the limitations of those solutions.  Staff from the Bureau also spoke with Hinsdale County 
  Commissioner Robert Hurd regarding the application process, including the need for any 
  application filed by Hinsdale to be coordinated a certified frequency coordinator and 
  accompanied by a request for waiver.  While I cannot speculate on the outcome, I can assure you 
  that any such application and waiver request will receive fair and timely consideration.  
        I appreciate your interest in this matter.  Please let me know if I can be of any further 
  assistance.   

                                      Sincerely, 

                                                                      
                                      Jessica Rosenworcel