High-tech chief wants to keep tech jobs in Colorado

Colorado’s new high-tech czar is exploring the idea of funneling more state technology contracts to companies that employ Coloradans.

By Roger Fillion, Rocky Mountain News

The goal: Create jobs in Colorado’s stumbling tech sector.

"If we’re awarding a $50 million contract, don’t you want that $50 million to stay in Colorado?" John Hansen, who today assumes his new job as Colorado’s secretary of technology, asked the News.

"What we want is the work being done by tax-paying Colorado residents," added Hansen, a high-tech entrepreneur. He replaces Marc Holtzman, who recently was named president of the University of Denver.

Hansen, who was tapped by Gov. Bill Owens for the Cabinet-level job, also wants to:

• Create three state posts to boost the state’s telecom, emerging technology, and software and data-storage industries. The privately financed posts will be similar to two recently created positions targeting the biotech and aerospace industries.

• Cut red tape to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register a new company.

• Make it simpler for Coloradans to go online to get drivers licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, and social services, among other things.

While other states have done so, Hansen hasn’t decided whether to propose changing the rules that govern how state high-tech contracts are awarded.

Such contracts might include a Colorado agency that buys tens of millions of dollars worth of software, for example, or a tech consulting firm hired to do work.

The Governor’s Office of Innovation and Technology, which Hansen will manage, oversees and approves about $350 million a year in state tech spending.

Contracts currently are awarded based on price alone. Hansen is mulling whether to insert "weightings" into the procurement process. How might that work? "The way I’m looking at it is: Is the work being conducted by Colorado residents?" Hansen said.

State Sen. Dave Owen, head of the legislature’s joint budget committee, likes the idea, provided it targets companies that are "competitive" and have the "wherewithal" to do the job. Echoed Senate Majority Leader Norma Anderson: "I probably would be supportive, depending on how it’s written."

The weightings could help locally based companies and out-of-state businesses with operations here.

[email protected] or (303) 892-2467

http://www.insidedenver.com/drmn/business/article/0,1299,DRMN_4_2079253,00.html