SIPA User Conference #SIPAUC

Join us for the 13th annual SIPA User Conference!
Parking, food, and beverages are included, and attendance fees are waived for state and local governments, special districts, K-12 education, and public colleges and universities.
- Where: Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204
- When: September 4, 2025, 8am - 5pm (check-in begins at 8am)
- Registration: Register to Attend the 2025 User Conference
About the User Conference
Meet us at Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204, for the 13th annual SIPA User Conference! Parking, food, and beverages are included, and attendance fees are waived for state and local governments, special districts, K-12 education, and public colleges and universities.
SIPA's Annual User Conference is one full day of learning about technology trends, SIPA customer and supplier use cases, opportunities to grow with professional development presentations, plenty of time to network, and a whole bunch of fun. This event gives SIPA a chance to thank all of our government partners for working with us and our supplier sponsors for their hard work and generosity, so that our attendees may enjoy the day at no cost.
Check-in begins at 8:00 AM.
Agenda
Suite Level 9:00-10:30 AM
Welcome to the 13th Annual User Conference by Ajay Bagal, who is excited to share the events of the day and what and where SIPA is going in the coming year.
GovGrants Presentation by Noah Kaplan
Keynote Address: Denver Broncos, Daniel Brusilovsky, Chief Technology Officer
Location: West Club
*Agenda sessions and times are subject to change.
Sessions 10:45-11:30 AM
Websites, Payments, and Forms: The Colorado.gov Platform Powered by Tyler Colorado
Presented by: SIPA Partner, Sunnie Holamon, Brian Cox, and Kacie Baker, Tyler Colorado
In an era where residents expect fast, secure, and accessible digital services, the Colorado.gov platform is delivering exactly that. This session will cover how Colorado.gov’s websites, payment processing, and online forms work together to simplify public engagement, reduce administrative burden, and support compliance with
state accessibility standards.
Location: West Club, North Alcove
Protecting Our Communities: A Local Government Guide to Cyber Security
Presented by: Benjamin Edelen, Boulder County & Nicole Rosencrans, Arapahoe County
Join the local government panel that will delve into practical, essential strategies for enhancing cyber security. We'll cover best practices and building a culture of security within your organization.
Location: West Club, South Alcove
Case Study: Smart Data Cloud Migration Transitions, Scalable Platforms, and E-A-R
Presented by: Michael Arrington, Department of Revenue & SIPA Partner, Alvin McBorrough, OGx
This session offers an engaging and high-level perspective on smart data's impact on cloud migration, presented as a case study. Learn how to navigate approaches, understand the critical importance of comprehensive migration documents, and explore the benefits of a scalable platform for a secure and efficient transition to the cloud. We'll focus on how to evaluate, analyze, and recommend strategies for optimal migration outcomes, drawing insights from a practical example.
Location: East Club, North Alcove
The Accessibility Continuum: From Past Progress to Future Horizons in Colorado
Presented by: Karen Pellegrin, Office of Information Technology (OIT), Technology Accessibility Program, Alice Huyler, OIT, & Jennifer Prusak, Aurora Public Schools
This session will examine the evolution of accessibility efforts within Colorado government. We'll look at past achievements, current challenges, and the vision for a more accessible future. Join us to understand the historical context, assess the present landscape, and explore strategies for advancing accessibility in all aspects of government services.
Location: East Club, South Alcove
Sessions 11:45 AM-12:30 PM
Budgeting with Impact: How AI-Driven Priority-Based Budgeting Aligns Spend with Outcomes
Presented by: SIPA Partner, Chris Fabian, Tyler Technologies
State and local governments are under pressure to achieve ambitious community goals while making fiscally responsible decisions. Traditional line item budgeting no longer reflects the complexity of modern governance. This session unveils how government entities can transform resource allocation from reactive to strategic through AI, data modeling, and outcome-driven decision-making with Tyler Technologies Priority Based Budgeting.
Location: West Club, North Alcove
SIPA Overview - Everything you need to know!
Presented by: Duane Tucker & Kara Finch, SIPA
Discover the Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA), a unique government authority dedicated to serving fellow Colorado governments. Duane and Kara will lead you through our state statute (briefly), why we exist, our benefits and technology portfolio, and how to engage and procure through SIPA. Understand who SIPA is, how your organization can work with us, and how we can be your trusted partner for digital government technology solutions.
Location: West Club, South Alcove
Case Study Beyond Compliance: A Holistic Approach to Accessibility
Presented by: Lindsay Sandoval, Colorado Department of the Treasury & SIPA Partner Coe Sheppard, CapTech
With so much focus on compliance and risk, digital accessibility is often reduced to a checklist, and we fail to recognize the intrinsic connection between accessibility and the overall user experience. By evaluating accessibility from a holistic perspective, we can look beyond baseline standards and take steps to ensure the overall usability of our digital experiences.
Location: East Club, North Alcove
Getting AI Off the Whiteboard: Real Steps to Real Implementation
Presented by: Brandon Williams, Eagle County
AI adoption metrics are diverting from traditional technology roll outs in profound ways. While many in government are focused on AI projects, this presentation offers a grounded, actionable blueprint for integrating AI into government operations as a skill, not just a tool. Moving beyond just a series of cool projects, we'll delve into a pilot-driven methodology centered on personalized training, targeted project support, and robust ROI tracking to drive genuine user engagement and adoption, that is designed to reveal actual usage patterns to help further understand and drive adoption. In addition, we’ll dive into how we capture cost savings and avoidance, and how that tracking process is helping us build a deployable library of AI-powered solutions tailored to the operational needs common to all government programs.
Location: East Club, South Alcove
Lunch 12:30-1:45 PM
Luncheon Program Keynote Address & Micro-Grant Awards Ceremony
Location: West Club
Sessions 2:00-2:45 PM
Case Study: Turning “what if” into real impact through AI PoCs
Presented by: Katie Taliercio, CDLE & SIPA Partner, Rose Barcklow, Propeller
From AI opportunity to reality. This session will share the process of identifying a high-value AI use case and rapidly delivering a Proof of Concept (PoC) that confirms positive impact potential.
Location: West Club, North Alcove
CGAIT CIO Panel: Policy, Governance & the Big IT Questions
Presented by: Aaron Kot, CGAIT President & Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Mary Weeks, City of Colorado Springs, Alina Walters, City of Lakewood, Mark Pfaffinger, Larimer County, & Brandon Gallegos, City of Alamosa
Join a panel of Colorado Chief Information Officers as they share strategic insights and real-world experiences on navigating multiple topics from cybersecurity to emerging technologies to data to constrained budgets. Gain firsthand perspectives on aligning technical roadmaps with organizational goals in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Colorado Government Association of Information Technology (CGAIT) is a professional organization made up of public sector IT leaders, directors, and CIOs from municipalities around the state of Colorado. CGAIT members span small and large governments who gather to discuss challenges and opportunities, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, resource sharing, and technology initiatives.
Location: West Club, South Alcove
Case Study: Blueprint for Digital Transformation - How Modern Enterprise Architecture promotes Public Safety Data and Technology Agility
Presented by: Doug Oates, Colorado Department of Public Safety & SIPA Partner Rachel Samuelson, Slalom
Public safety organizations are facing a critical inflection point in how they manage data, processes, and technology. Legacy systems—built on outdated forms, siloed processes, and on-premise infrastructure—are no longer sustainable. What’s needed now is a shift in mindset: enterprise architecture must be seen not as an IT exercise, but as a strategic framework for building responsive, resilient government services. Join technology leaders from the Colorado State Patrol and Slalom Consulting for a forward-looking discussion on how modern enterprise architecture is driving real, operational transformation. This session will explore how defining architecture before replacing applications empowers leaders to make smarter decisions, weigh trade-offs, and invest strategically. Learn how an architecture-first approach enables system interoperability, strengthens vendor management, and ultimately improves service delivery to the public.
Location: East Club, North Alcove
Public Sector Digital Strategy Delivery
Presented by: Jenny Schiavone, City and County of Denver
This session will guide attendees through the process of creating a cohesive and user-friendly digital experience for public services. We will cover everything from developing a robust digital experience strategy to the practicalities of implementation, focusing on creating seamless interactions and maximizing user satisfaction.
Location: East Club, South Alcove
Sessions 3:00-3:45 PM
Case Study: Unlocking Location Power: Impact on Citizen Experiences
Presented by: SIPA Customer & SIPA Partner, Schneider Geospatial
Discover how location-based solutions are revolutionizing local government operations by liberating location-based data. This engaging session will explore a case study demonstrating how high-level strategies for governments efficiently improve citizen experiences, streamline services, and make data-driven decisions. Learn practical approaches and see the tangible results of harnessing the full potential of your geographic data.
Location: West Club, North Alcove
Success and Well-being: Thriving Under Any Leadership
Presented by: Ernesto Chavez, City of Lafayette & SIPA Board Chair
Join this presentation to consider a fresh perspective on how you can find success and take control of your future and well-being, working for any leadership type! In today's dynamic professional landscape, individuals often find themselves navigating diverse leadership styles. This session offers a revolutionary approach to personal and professional thriving, regardless of the management you encounter. We will explore actionable strategies and develop a mindset that empowers you to define and achieve success. Discover how to build resilience, leverage your strengths, and cultivate a fulfilling work experience no matter who is at the helm.
Location: West Club, South Alcove
The State of AI in Colorado
Presented by: Amy Bhikha, Chief Data Officer, State of Colorado
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world as we know it. AI is already having a major impact on our lives and in government, but what does AI mean for the state of Colorado? This session will explore the state’s guidelines and legislation.
Location: East Club, North Alcove
Case Study Driving Community Impact
Presented by: SIPA Customer & SIPA Partner, Granicus
Discover how to maximize your community's impact through effective engagement strategies. This session will provide actionable insights to foster meaningful connections, improve service delivery, and achieve measurable results.
East Club, South Alcove
Post-Conference Reception 3:45-5:00 PM
We look forward to networking at the post-conference reception held at the suite level. We will serve delicious hors d'oeuvres, and thanks to Tyler Colorado, refreshing beverages!
Location: East Club