The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!
The Colorado Digital Government Summit is your chance to engage in impactful collaboration and contribute to a shared vision for the future. Join us to exchange valuable insights and learn about best practices that will empower us to harness technology in innovative ways, ultimately enhancing the services we provide to Colorado’s residents. Together, we can drive significant progress and make a meaningful difference for our communities.
– David Edinger, Chief Information Officer & Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado
Wednesday, November 5 |
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8:00 am Mountain |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Mountain |
Opening RemarksDavid Edinger, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado |
9:15 am Mountain |
Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against YouIn moments when challenges feel insurmountable, and the odds are stacked against us, how do we find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful and energizing talk, Jessica O. Matthews shares how the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from struggle, uncertainty, and adversity. Drawing from her own journey as a pioneering entrepreneur and inventor, Jessica explores how resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving can transform even the toughest setbacks into opportunities for impact and growth. This session will help you reframe challenges as opportunities for breakthrough innovation, develop resilience during moments of struggle, and uncover determination to keep fighting for transformative solutions. Jessica O. Matthews, CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate |
10:15 am Mountain |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
10:45 am Mountain |
Concurrent SessionsMaking AI Real: Practical Use Cases, Ethical Frameworks, and Measurable ROIAI isn't just hype - it's happening. From predictive analytics to generative tools, it's already reshaping how the public sector operates. But while the potential is exciting, the path forward is still being written. Frameworks are evolving. Policies remain fluid. And for many, the real question is: How do we adopt AI in ways that are useful, ethical, and grounded in reality? This session examines how Colorado leaders are addressing this challenge directly. Fraud in the Digital Age: Identity, AI, and the New Front Lines of Cyber DefenseFrom “ghost students” and fake workers to fraudulent claims on government benefits, the definition of fraud is rapidly evolving - and so are the tools used to commit it! As generative AI and automation make it easier to overwhelm systems with false identities, public agencies must rethink how they detect and prevent deception. This session explores the intersection of cybersecurity, digital identity management, and fraud prevention. Attendees will learn real-world tactics used by bad actors and collaborative strategies for safeguarding public programs. Merlin Namuth, Chief Information Security Officer, Technology Services, City and County of Denver The Partnership Playbook: From Contracts to CollaborationWe’ve all seen it. A promising IT project that veers off track because of mismatched expectations, unclear contracts, or poor communication. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Strong outcomes stem from strong partnerships, and that begins with a thorough understanding of the problem space together before exploring solutions. This session explores the skills and strategies behind successful partnerships. From shaping shared services and writing clearer statements of work, you’ll learn how to build partnerships that solve the right problems with the right teams. User Experience for Every UserThe compliance deadline for accessibility standards may have come and gone, but the real work is still ahead. Accessibility isn't a checkbox - it's a core part of user experience, and it needs to be baked in from the very beginning of design. As agencies look to modernize services and prepare for technologies like AI, building accessible systems becomes even more critical. This session explores how user-centered design and accessibility go hand-in-hand and provides practical strategies to build digital services that are usable, equitable, and resilient. |
11:45 am Mountain |
Lunch |
12:45 pm Mountain |
Bits & Bytes – Hindsight is 2020Let’s face it. Sometimes things break, crash, glitch, or go completely sideways. But failure isn’t the end of the road, it’s the start of learning. This candid and constructive session highlights real-world digital, operational, and policy missteps from public sector projects. Through a retrospective lens, we’ll unpack what went wrong, what could’ve been done differently, and how teams turned setbacks into valuable lessons. |
1:20 pm Mountain |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
1:40 pm Mountain |
Concurrent SessionsThe AI Design Dilemma: Friendly, Functional, or Just Flashy?AI doesn’t just change what we build, it changes how we build. As government agencies begin experimenting with AI-powered tools and services, the challenge isn’t just technical - it’s human. How do we design systems that are safe to test and structured to support AI’s strengths without amplifying its risks? This session takes a practical look at what it means to "design for AI" in the public sector. From prototyping in low-risk environments to rethinking information architecture for AI-readiness, you’ll explore how intentional design can shape better outcomes for the technology and the people it serves. The AI Scenario Room: Test, Talk, TackleInteractive Tabletop Exercise What happens when AI tools are deployed to every corner of government? In this engaging tabletop exercise, participants will work through a real-world scenario to identify use cases, operational hurdles, security risks, and governance solutions. Expect lively conversation, peer insights, and actionable takeaways you can bring back to your team the next day. Facilitator: Jerry Eastman, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst, Technology and Innovation Department, City of Colorado Springs The Great Data AlignmentBefore you invite AI to dinner, make sure you're not serving it junk. Data without governance leads to confusion, missed opportunities, and AI outcomes you can't trust. The challenge is real, but it’s also fixable. How do you move from scattered systems and uncertain ownership to clean, usable, and trustworthy data? This session examines how Colorado leaders are laying the groundwork for responsible AI use through enhanced data governance. From boosting literacy to defining ownership and aligning teams, you'll hear what it takes to turn your data into a strategic asset - before the algorithms get involved. Josh Allen, Director, Enterprise Data and Architecture, Department of Technology Services, Denver Public Schools Champagne Ideas, Tap Water BudgetBudget cuts aren’t the end of progress; they’re the spark for reinvention! In an era of tightening resources, Colorado agencies are getting creative with what they already have: reimagining procurement, leveraging underutilized tools, and deepening partnerships to deliver smarter, faster, and better results. This session explores how public leaders are reframing constraints as catalysts! Whether it’s finding hidden value in existing platforms or applying an agile approach and data-driven decision-making to drive impact. Exclusive Briefing for the Industry PartnersHosted By: David Edinger, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado |
2:40 pm Mountain |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
3:00 pm Mountain |
The Colorado Technology Challenge: A Public Sector Trivia ShowdownJoin us for a fun and engaging closing session where we’ll put your knowledge to the test with an interactive trivia game! This session will be a perfect mix of learning and laughter, highlighting key technology themes from the event and fun facts about Colorado. Don’t miss this chance to reflect, gain new perspectives, and wrap up the conference on a high note! Are you ready to challenge yourself and lead your team to victory? Co-Hosts: William Chumley, Chief Customer Officer, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado Erica Patterson, Vice President of Events, Government Technology Panelists: David Edinger, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado Desmond Grant, Chief Information Officer, Littleton Public Schools Jenny Schiavone, Chief Digital Officer, Technology Services, City & County of Denver |
3:45 pm Mountain |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
4:15 pm Mountain |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
650 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 436-1234
Josh Allen
Director, Technology Architecture and Strategy
Denver Public Schools
Sabina Andersson
Chief Product Officer
Department of Early Childhood
State of Colorado
Amy Bhikha
Chief Data Officer
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Richard Charles
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology Services
Denver Public Schools
William Chumley
Chief Customer Officer
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Loni Clark
Director
Business Technology & Innovation
History Colorado
David Edinger
CIO & Executive Director
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Jill Elggren
Communications Manager
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Anthony Fisher
Data Governance Manager
Department of Revenue
State of Colorado/Founding Board Member, GovAI Coalition
Desmond Grant
Chief Information Officer
Littleton Public Schools
Paul Kresser
Deputy Chief Information Officer
City and County of Denver
Jiles McCoy
Chief Information Officer
City of Golden
Joe Milliken
Information Technology
City of Westminster
Bret Naber
Chief Information Officer
City Manager's Office
City of Greeley
Suma Nallapati
Chief Information Officer
Technology Services
City and County of Denver
Flo Raitano
Director of Partnership Development and Innovation
Denver Regional Council of Governments
Jimmy Rogers
Director of Information Technology
Department of Higher Education
State of Colorado
Jerrod Roth
Chief Technology Officer
Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA)
State of Colorado
Jenny Schiavone
Chief Digital Officer
Technology Services
City & County of Denver
Rich Schliep
Chief Information Officer
Department of State
State of Colorado
Richard Todd
Chief Data Officer
City of Boulder
Sarah Tuneberg
Director, Colorado Digital Service
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Alina Walters
Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
City of Lakewood
Mary Weeks
Chief Information Officer
City of Colorado Springs
Heather Weir
Director of Strategy, Performance and Administration
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Brandi Wildfang
Chief Communications Officer & Public Information Officer
Governor's Office of Information Technology
State of Colorado
Al Wirtes
Director of Advanced Technologies & Enterprise Architecture
University of Colorado System Office
Asa Gifford
Director Public Sector
Verizon
Caryn Ginsburg
Enterprise Account Executive
Comcast Business
Marques Holmes
National Director, SLED
Equinix
Drew Levanway
Account Director
Tyler Technologies
Lisa Rhodes
Sales Executive IV
NTT DATA
Nate Schneemann
Account Executive
Socure
Jackie Slate
Sales Manager
SLED
CenturyLink
David Spector
Managing Director
KPMG
Michael Williams
Systems Engineer
Fortinet
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration Fee per person: $25
Registration by credit card only; no billing.
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
For registration and general assistance contact:
Timiko Watkins
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1314
E-mail: twatkins@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com