Colorado Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

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!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

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

Speakers

David Edinger

David Edinger

Chief Information Officer & Executive Director

Appointed in November 2023 as Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, David Edinger leads nearly 1,100 employees and oversees the $373M annual budget and $1B in federal grant spending for the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). David is drawn to technology because of its transformational power and ability to accelerate innovation so it is easier for Coloradans to access government services.
David joined OIT after serving the City and County of Denver for more than 15 years. His public service began in 2008 as the Special Assistant to the Mayor to provide strategic resource alignment and planning to improve public safety operations. He later served as Chief Performance Officer, during which time he created and led Peak Performance, the national model for employee-led innovation, establishing Denver as the center of excellence for government innovation. The Peak Academy has trained individuals from more than 350 municipal and state governments and more than 11,000 Denver employees on how to improve city processes. In tandem with the $10M annual Innovation Fund, these programs have saved the city over $65M since inception in 2011.
In 2018, David was appointed Chief Information Officer and led Technology Services (TS), Denver’s 350-person Information Technology Department, through September 2023. Combining people with technology and process improvement, TS pioneered a transition to productive hybrid work during the pandemic and virtualized the Emergency Operation Center operations. David believes government employees have all the answers and it is simply a matter of translating those insights and expertise into implementation. That approach led to an 80% reduction in major incidents, 96% of employees understanding how their roles impacted strategy and a 2023 annualized turnover rate of less than 10%. For these accomplishments, among others, David was named the 2023 Colorado CIO of the Year by the Colorado Technology Association.
Prior to joining the public sector, David was the co-founder and CEO of Broadwing LLC, a private equity startup. He also held consulting positions, directing the sales strategy and productivity consulting engagements for Eli Lilly affiliates in Central and South America, India, Thailand and Spain for RM Consulting, and conducting data modeling projects to allocate sales resources in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical products and animal health industries for ZS Associates.
David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He also holds a certification from the Bloomberg-Harvard Leadership Initiative. David is a board member of the Colorado Technology Association and the University of Denver Department of Business Information & Analytics.
Married and with four children, David is an euchre (a trick-taking card game) aficionado. In his spare time, he is a volunteer coach and team manager for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer and enjoys annual backcountry river canoe trips.

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Jessica O. Matthews

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Founded award-winning power and data infrastructure tech company credited with inventing an energy generating soccer ball and revolutionizing vision AI in energy efficiency
Mission-driven leader who values positive social impact and inspires audience to use innovation and technology to meet everyday needs
Recognized as Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, 30 Under 30 list for Forbes and Inc., and Scientist of the Year by Harvard University
Powerhouse speaker dedicated to using technology to change the world
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility have always been intrinsic to Jessica O. Matthews, even from a young age. At just 19, she invented SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball that reflects her vision for a better world. Matthews was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, when she noticed the reliance on dangerous diesel generators during power outages. She addressed a community need and created a safer alternative that harnesses power from an everyday activity to provide a source of light.
Her invention of SOCCKET exemplifies Matthews’ unique blend of altruism and a disruptive technological mindset that encourages her audience to embrace innovation and actively contribute to positive change. She channeled these qualities into founding Uncharted, an award-winning sustainable-infrastructure company that empowers small and under-resourced cities. As CEO, she takes her social responsibility seriously, creating solutions that enhance access to energy, water, air, and transit. Notably, Matthews has revolutionized vision AI in energy efficiency, developing technology that employs “smart photos” to visually assess homes. These photos then determine potential savings on energy bills and qualifying rebates. Matthews is committed to preserving the unique identities of the cities she serves, asserting that citizens shouldn’t have to "leave where they are from to get where they are goingExclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Jessica O. Matthews captivates audiences with her engaging presentation style. A relatable, down-to-earth speaker, she refers to herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Her enthusiasm engages audiences, and she often jumps rope on stage to demonstrate her innovations in an interactive way. This personable approach allows her to connect deeply with her audience, fostering an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Matthews leaves audiences feeling inspired and motivated to create solutions that disrupt the status quo and encourages them to meet the needs of real people and communities. Her ability to tailor her message to resonate with the unique interests and experiences of each audience ensures that her insights are both relevant and impactful.
Jessica’s success in entrepreneurship led to a White House invitation from President Barack Obama to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012. In 2016, she raised what was at the time the largest Series A round ever raised by a black female founder in history and was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni. In 2021, Jessica was officially appointed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee. As a member of the Smart Grid subcommittee, she plays a key role in advising the Department of Energy on the ways we can modernize our nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S.
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, Jessica has a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 12 patents and patents pending. Her list of accolades includes Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100, Harvard University Scientist of the Year, One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes and Forbes Africa, as well as featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company, among others.

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Josh Allen

Josh Allen

Director, Enterprise Data and Architecture, Department of Technology Services, Denver Public Schools 

Josh Allen serves as the Director of Enterprise Data and Architecture at Denver Public Schools (DPS). In this capacity, he oversees the district's data and solutions architecture, spanning both academic and operational domains.Denver Public Schools has made substantial investments in modernizing our enterprise systems, empowering teachers, principals, students, and parents to manage their data effectively through district-managed dashboards.
In his role, Josh ensures the successful implementation of solutions in schools and central departments alike. Over his 28-year tenure at DPS, he spearheaded initiatives such as the district's pioneering public school teacher pay-for-performance system and led teams responsible for software development, data warehousing, and business intelligence.
Josh is deeply rooted in Colorado, being a fourth-generation native and third generation graduate of DPS. He also brings prior education experience as an ECE and Montessori teacher to his current role.

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William Chumley

Chief Customer Officer, Governor’s Office of Information Technology, State of Colorado

Jerry Eastman

Senior Cybersecurity Analyst, City of Colorado Springs 

A retired Air Force Space and Missile officer turned Cyber geek.  After earning his Master of Science in Information Assurance degree from Regis University he developed the Cyber Intelligence capability for the Colorado Information Analysis Center, our State Fusion Center.  His work with the Colorado National Guard, DHS CISA and Fusion Centers across the nation supported the development of new support and response models for cyber incidents impacting State and local governments.  Currently he uses his graduate certificate in incident response from SANS University to serve the City of Colorado Springs as a Senior Cyber Analyst.  As a veteran of some notable incidents such as the CDOT SamSam event and the Great CrowdStrike conundrum he continues to focus on incident response, threat intelligence and policy where AI is often considered a four-letter word

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Desmond Grant

Chief Information Officer, Littleton Public Schools

Merlin Namuth

Merlin Namuth

Chief Information Security Officer, Technology Services, City and County of Denver 

Merlin Namuth is the Chief Information Security Officer at the City and County of Denver.  He has worked in cybersecurity for over 25 years. His comprehensive experience spanning several industries includes leading 6 different security programs, creating strategy and building security programs from the ground up, advancing existing security programs, mergers and acquisitions, managing incident response teams, digital forensics, compliance, architecture, and engineering complex security solutions both on-prem and in the Cloud. Namuth has served as an advisor to security startup companies. He has presented at numerous conferences, including RSA Conference both domestically and internationally, been interviewed on renowned security podcasts, and frequently writes blogs and articles.

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Erica Patterson

Erica Patterson

Vice President of Events, Government Technology

Jenny Schiavone

Chief Digital Officer, Technology Services, City & County of Denver

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Agenda

Wednesday, November 5

8:00 am Mountain

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Mountain

Opening Remarks

David 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 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

10:15 am Mountain

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am Mountain

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.

11:45 am Mountain

Lunch

12:45 pm Mountain

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.

1:20 pm Mountain

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:40 pm Mountain

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

2:40 pm Mountain

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

3:00 pm Mountain

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

3:45 pm Mountain

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

4:15 pm Mountain

End of Conference

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

Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center

650 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 436-1234

Get Directions To
Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

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

Industry Representatives

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

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: November 5, 2025

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.

Contact Information

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

Venue

Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center

650 15th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 436-1234

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Room Block

There is no room block set up for this event. There are a number of hotels nearby. 

Map and Directions 

https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/dencc-hyatt-regency-denver-at-colorado-convention-center?src=corp_lclb_google_seo_dencc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=lmr

Event Parking

 Self-parking:

$17.00 first 60 minutes
$23.00 1-2 hours
$29.00 2-3 hours
$35.00 3-4 hours
$41.00 4-5 hours,
$55.00 5+/ overnight

Valet parking:

$25.00 0-2 hours
$35.00 2-4 hours
$45.00 4-6 hours
$67.00 6+ hours/overnight.
Oversized $77

 

Parking fees subject to change without notice.