Press Release - IT Consolidation Bill Signed
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER SIGNS LEGISLATION TO CONSOLIDATE AND STREAMLINE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Gov. Bill Ritter today signed legislation that streamlines, consolidates and centralizes state government's fractured and inefficient Information Technology systems under one roof within the Governor’s Office of Information Technology.
Senate Bill 155 was sponsored by a bipartisan cadre of legislators, led by prime sponsors Sens. Bill Cadman and John Morse and Reps. Andy Kerr and Bernie Buescher. A whopping 76 other lawmakers signed on as sponsors.
"Information Technology is the cornerstone of being able to provide the services we offer today," Gov. Ritter said. "Information Technology is no longer confined to boxes and wires -- it's now a way to create new and innovative business solutions for the 21st century.
"But when I came into office almost a year-and-a-half ago, we knew state government had significant IT problems," Gov. Ritter added. "This legislation marks a historic turning point in how we will manage, consolidate and improve our IT assets and personnel. We are going to establish Colorado as a leader in the delivery of Information Technology. We are going to create an environment where innovation is a daily occurrence, and where every resident, business and visitor benefits from those innovations."
As an example of IT redundancies and inefficiencies, Gov. Ritter said the state has 39 separate data centers and more than 1,600 servers. Many states have two data centers, and global corporations have fewer than 10.
SB 155 builds on Gov. Ritter's earlier efforts to improve the state's technology systems. In 2007, Gov. Ritter appointed Michael Locatis as the state's chief information officer, and through an executive order elevated the post to a Cabinet-level position.
Learn more:
Gov. Ritter, Lawmakers Introduce IT Consolidation Legislation (Feb. 8, 2008)
Gov. Ritter Consolidates IT Operations and Launches New Innovation Council (Oct. 11, 2007)
For a complete list of 2008 legislation Gov. Ritter has signed into law, click here.