2021 Digital Cities Winner

City of Pueblo Recognized for Innovation in Utilizing Technology by Center for Digital Government

PUEBLO – The Center for Digital Government has named Pueblo, Colorado as a winner of the 2021 Digital Cities Survey, which recognizes “cities utilizing technology to tackle social challenges, enhance services, strengthen cybersecurity and more.” Cities are considered based on population, and Pueblo, Colorado has been ranked among the top ten in its population category.

Mayor Nick Gradisar says, “One of my priorities since assuming office has been to make it easier for our businesses and our citizens to interact with their city government. The IT department has excelled at breaking down barriers and opening access and this award is well deserved.” The City of Pueblo is the ninth largest city in Colorado, and as the largest in southeastern Colorado is the business hub of the region.  

The City of Pueblo’s Information Technology (IT) department works to provide the most advanced technology and resources available. “Our IT Department strives for excellence and innovation when selecting and implementing the technology solutions that serve our citizens; we have a good team,” says Director of Information Technology Lori Pinz. Past accolades earned by the City of Pueblo IT Department include the ‘Pinnacle Award’ by the National Association of Government Web Professionals and the Digital Interactive - 3CMA Award Overall Website Category Savvy Award by the City-County Communications and Marketing Association.

Serving over 113,000 residents, Pueblo secured 10th place in the nation its population category for improving access to services for residents and businesses alike. Over the last few years, Pueblo officials have worked relentlessly to streamline a variety of permitting processes including code enforcement, fire inspections and more. Recently, the city officially implemented OpenGov’s Permitting, Licensing and Code Enforcement system (PLC) which integrates with Pueblo’s geographical information data and enterprise financial system. The upgrades in these processes allow residents and businesses to apply on-line for residential and non-residential permits, alcohol and marijuana business licenses, and tracks the progress of their applications through the Pueblo PLACE service portal. In short, IT leadership’s decision to select OpenGov’s PLC has helped systemize and expedite all city permitting processes.

Fueled in part by the ongoing pandemic, Pueblo also made strides in modernizing the city’s remote access, video conferencing and collaboration capabilities, and bolstered emerging technologies promoting our digital transformation efforts and advancement of our “zero-trust” approach to network security. IT leadership upgraded the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center to Next-Generation 9-1-1 technologies including a software program that improves police-to-citizen communication via text updates to callers related to their 9-1-1 calls for service. Pueblo is also currently working with several broadband companies on expanding and improving internet accessibility and services throughout to the community.

The Center for Digital Government (CDG) is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.