Concourse

Colorado

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

Jared Polis (D)

CIO

David Edinger

CISO

Ray Yepes

IT Organization

Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT)

State Agencies

30

Population

5.9M

✓ Key Strengths

  • myColorado app serving 1.8 million residents with 600,000 monthly active users -- including nation-leading Colorado Digital ID with QR code verification launched December 2025
  • Colorado Digital Service (CDS) under Director Sarah Tuneberg delivering user-centered design with measurable outcomes -- higher customer satisfaction, improved digital completion rates, and reduced hold times
  • Governor's two-year operational agenda (2025-2027) explicitly prioritizes digital service delivery with agency-specific IT priorities across 8 departments
  • Google Gemini pilot successfully boosting state IT productivity -- demonstrating practical AI adoption alongside responsible AI governance framework

⚠ Key Risks

  • January 2026 State Auditor report raises significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities -- OIT has not adequately addressed cybersecurity risks for sensitive data and systems
  • Hiring freeze (August 2025) with 20% vacancy rate across state government -- IT workforce capacity critically constrained during ambitious digital transformation agenda
  • Budget constraints from federal tariff policy impacts forcing cost-cutting measures that may delay IT investment priorities
  • DOJ WCAG 2.1 AA website accessibility compliance deadline of April 24, 2026 approaching with ongoing remediation efforts underway

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

Cybersecurity & …AI & AutomationDigital Governme…Data Management …Workforce & Tale…Cloud ServicesBroadband & Conn…IT Procurement &…Interoperability…Legacy Moderniza…
Colorado

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
myColorado App & Digital ID ExpansionOperationalContinuing expansion of myColorado app (1.8M users) with Digital ID QR code verification launched December 2025. Enhancing identity management and adding new service integrations across state departments.Ongoing, expanding 2026
BEAD Broadband DeploymentApproved$420.6M BEAD funding approved December 2025 to connect 96,000+ unserved Coloradans. Advance Colorado Broadband Grant Program managing subgrantee selection with fiber, satellite, and wireless technologies.2026-2029
Colorado Digital Service Agency PartnershipsActiveCDS teams embedded in state agencies delivering user-centered digital service design. Performance Hub tracking healthcare metrics. Focus on equity, accessibility, and measurable citizen outcomes.Ongoing
AI Governance & Gemini ExpansionIn ProgressPublished AI Guide for responsible AI use. Expanding successful Google Gemini pilot to additional state operations. Leveraging generative AI for cybersecurity and productivity improvements.2025-2026
ASL Digital Interpreter ProgramPilotOn-demand American Sign Language interpreting service through Aira at 11 History Colorado museums and workforce centers. Improving accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing communities.October 2025 - mid-2026
Cybersecurity Posture RemediationIn ProgressAddressing vulnerabilities identified in January 2026 State Auditor report. CISO Yepes leading enhanced security measures across OIT-managed state infrastructure.2026

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. Colorado OIT -- Governor's Office of Information Technology (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. Colorado Digital Service (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. GovTech: A Better Govt. Experience Is Colorado IT's Goal, CIO Says (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. StateTech: Colorado CIO David Edinger Q&A at NASCIO 2025 (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. GovTech: Colorado Releases Digital ID Verifier Technology (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. OIT Press Release: Ray Yepes Appointed CISO (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. OIT Press Release: Ray Yepes Top 100 Global InfoSec Leader (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. CBS News: Colorado State Audit Raises Cybersecurity Questions (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. OIT Press Releases -- ASL Interpreter Program, Cybersecurity Awareness (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. StateScoop: Colorado Governor Polis Two-Year Digital Service Agenda (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. Colorado Broadband Office (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. OIT Press Release: Colorado Approved for $420M BEAD Funding (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. Colorado Broadband Office: Revised BEAD Grant Program (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. CPR News: Colorado State Employees Brace for Hiring Freeze (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. Colorado Governor's Operational Agenda (2025-2027) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. NASCIO 2025 State CIO Top 10 Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)
  17. DOJ Title II Web Accessibility Rule -- WCAG 2.1 AA (April 24, 2026 deadline) (accessed 2026-02-23)