Closing the Gap: Highlighting a Year of Tech Debt Wins/Year In Review
In 2025, OIT teams made significant progress in addressing Colorado's tech debt. We closed security gaps, continued optimizing our network infrastructure and upgraded key applications that Coloradans rely on daily.
The result is steady progress towards more accessible, trustworthy and resilient systems that quietly power better government services.
Here’s How the Work Took Shape
Cost Elimination
We kicked off 2025 by moving out of the eFORT Data Center, one of the biggest priorities to eliminate costly tech debt and one of the most expensive capital leases in the state's budget.
Together, more than 300 OIT and state agency staff invested nearly 20,000 hours over three years to save the state money and better protect state data.
Key Application Upgrades
Teams completed improvements to key platforms that help link Coloradans to vital benefits. The Automated Child Support Enforcement System (ACSES) website was improved to be more efficient and mobile-friendly. ACSES is a 40-year-old application used in most Colorado jurisdictions to collect and distribute child support. Additionally, State ID Module (SIDMOD) software was integrated with Colorado benefits systems, including ACSES, the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), the Colorado Child Care Automated Tracking System (CHATS) and the child welfare system (Trails), resulting in a better user experience for Coloradans seeking assistance.
Security and Resiliency
Hundreds of OIT staff collaborated with agencies to address several findings from an IT resiliency audit. This crucial work spanned months to update older and unsupported servers, close system vulnerabilities and set new standards with supporting processes to help mitigate technology risks. This resulted in enhanced security and efficiency of our systems, leading to overall improvements.
Core Infrastructure
OIT completed an essential two-phase, multi-agency Network Equipment Refresh, replacing outdated firewalls and routers to enhance efficiency and reduce service interruptions.
Automation and Efficiency
OIT piloted a new 90-day inactivity process in Identity Manager (IM) to automate the offboarding of OIT accounts inactive for 90 days or more, a key milestone for the IM project. The automation will enhance efficiency and simplify the employee offboarding process for managers. This successful pilot will inform a statewide rollout.
While we celebrate a year of hard work and ongoing commitment to improving the customer experience, we recognize that there is much more to accomplish. We look forward to 2026 and even greater innovation, accessibility and efficiency on the road to a robust, cost-effective digital government.