Members of SaveTheInternet.com Coalition presented a petition with more than 16,000 Colorado signatures to Sen. Ken Salazar's office Wednesday, urging the senator to defend "net neutrality."

The coalition, which includes more than 750 diverse groups ranging from Common Cause and the American Civil Liberties Union to the Christian Coalition, argues that big telephone and cable companies like AT&T, Comcast and Qwest plan to turn the Internet into a two-tiered tollway favoring companies that pay them the most.

"Internet's freedom is under attack," said Albert Smerker, a Littleton businessman who said his systems integration business relies 100 percent on the Internet. "Companies like mine aren't going to get a chance. We need to keep a level playing field." Smerker was one of about 20 people who attended a news conference in front of Salazar's office near downtown Denver.

Comcast, Qwest and others have said they also favor an open Internet, and that they won't degrade or block anyone's Internet service.

But they say some Internet content providers may want to pay an extra fee to provide expedited delivery to their customers. An Internet movie service, for example, might want to ensure that its movies are downloaded quickly to customers, even if some of those customers subscribe to slower Internet service.

Cody Wertz, a spokesman for Salazar, a Democrat, accepted the signatures, and assured the group that the senator takes the issue seriously, has heard from both sides, but hasn't yet made a decision on how he might vote on the issue.

"He wants to take some time and be very thoughtful and deliberate," Wertz said.

The group said it also planned to make its plea to Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard, a Republican.

What is net neutrality?

Net Neutrality: The concept that consumers should be allowed unfettered access to the Internet, and that all content providers should be treated the same.

Without such a law, proponents say, certain Internet companies could be discriminated against, forced to pay more, and be driven out of business. Consumers could find certain Web sites blocked or slower to get to.

Opponents say there is no need for a law, that the Federal Trade Commission can regulate any anti-competitive practices. They say they also support an open Internet, but also should have the right to offer priority delivery to Internet companies that want to pay for it.