DENVER, Colo.—The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) is pleased to report that a multi-million dollar initiative to upgrade Colorado’s public safety radio communications is complete. The $13.9 million project was approved by the Colorado General Assembly in 2013.

The upgrade to the Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) transpired over three phases from October 2013 to September 2014. The project was consistently on time and on budget. Crucial software enhancements made during this effort are providing better protection for DTRS from security risks. Additionally, the communications infrastructure was successfully upgraded to the most current software platform available today.

The DTRS is a seamless statewide wireless system that enables direct communications between first responders during times of emergency, as well as for day-to-day operations. It serves in excess of 73,000 subscriber radios representing over 1,000 local, regional, tribal, state and federal agencies and is available to all public safety, public service and other governmental agencies.

Colorado Department of Public Safety Executive Director Stan Hilkey says the investment and completion of the project is important for all Coloradans. “State and local first responders rely heavily on radio systems to help protect the people of Colorado,” says Hilkey. “This system connects police and fire locally and across the state and can be the difference between success or failure in an emergency or crisis. Investing in the strength, security and resiliency of this system is wise use of public dollars."

As this project wraps up, OIT will continue its work on DTRS in other areas. The Colorado General Assembly approved additional funding in 2014 for a project to begin phased replacement of legacy radio repeaters at state DTRS transmitter sites. A total of nearly 50 transmitter sites will receive this badly needed equipment replacement by year end. DTRS teams are also currently upgrading dispatch consoles at state dispatch centers as agencies acquire funding for the equipment. Console hardware replacements have been installed at Colorado State Patrol dispatch centers across the state and stands 80 percent complete.

About OIT
The Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) is responsible for the operation and delivery of information and communications technology (ICT) services and innovation across all Executive Branch agencies in the State of Colorado. OIT’s charge is twofold: (1) to provide world-class IT services to Colorado’s Executive Branch agencies; and (2) to promote Colorado as the ideal location for IT companies and technology based workers.

OIT drives innovative technology solutions, provides quality service, and supports the agencies whose missions are so critical to serving Coloradans. We do this by overseeing technology initiatives at the state level, recommending strategies and maximizing efficiencies of service delivery in a cost-effective manner through the application of enterprise technology solutions. Our enterprise approach also enables the agile delivery of new applications to state agencies that improve citizen access to government services while increasing accountability and transparency.

OIT’s operational responsibility is vast and includes the development and support of enterprise and agency-specific (line of business) applications, projects, programs, and services, data centers, servers, mainframe operations, storage, operating systems, local area networks, as well as the Colorado State Network (CSN) and the public safety communications network, which includes the digital trunked and microwave radio systems. OIT is also responsible for information security across all three branches of state government. We monitor and analyze information on cyber threats and proactively manage vulnerabilities that present risk to the state's information systems or the critical information managed there within. This includes security risk management, security operations, regulatory compliance, and application security.

OIT also leads the state’s IT economic development efforts and works in conjunction with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to promote Colorado as the ideal location for IT companies and technology-based workers.

OIT is powering the work of the State of Colorado and making government more effective, efficient, and elegant, while at the same time protecting the State’s valuable information assets and lowering our costs.

Tauna Lockhart, Chief Communications Officer & PIO