Photo: Colorado CIO Mike Locatis (left) and Gov. Bill Ritter. Photo by Don Cudney.

Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awarded Colorado's Gov. Bill Ritter with the association's first State Technology Champion Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to IT in their state. Ritter envisioned the role of information technology in state government, said NASCIO in a release, to provide the framework for developing state IT strategies. He was a key partner and driver in consolidating state IT services to ensure that Colorado takes advantage of improvements in technology, purchasing and business processes. Colorado is now entering Phase II of the three-part journey.

"NASCIO is pleased to recognize Governor Ritter with this inaugural award," said NASCIO president and Utah CIO Stephen Fletcher in a release. "Governor Ritter has a keen awareness that technology enables change, cost savings to the state and better delivery of services to citizens. The governor, along with state CIO Michael Locatis, have worked diligently to move Colorado toward effective and innovative IT solutions."