Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

David Edinger, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

In 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

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Making AI Real: Practical Use Cases, Ethical Frameworks, and Measurable ROI

AI 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 Defense

From “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 Collaboration

We’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 User

The 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.

Lunch

Bits & Bytes – Hindsight is 2020

Let’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.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

The 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, Tackle

Interactive 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 Alignment

Before 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 Budget

Budget 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 Partners

Hosted By:

David Edinger, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

The Colorado Technology Challenge: A Public Sector Trivia Showdown

Join 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

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.