Pueblo awarded 2021 'Digital Cities Survey' award from Center for Digital Government

James Bartolo, The Pueblo Chieftain
·2 min read

The City of Pueblo was recognized for its use of technology by the Center for Digital Government as a recipient of a 2021 Digital Cities Survey award.

Pueblo placed 10th in the nation for the 75,000 to 124,999 population category. Cities were chosen for advancing "cybersecurity, digitization of services, data transparency and community engagement," according to Govtech.com. In addition to this year, Pueblo has previously been recognized by the CDG in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018.

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"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," Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. "The IT department has excelled at breaking down barriers and opening access and this award is well deserved."

The City of Pueblo was recognized for its use of technology by the Center for Digital Government as a recipient of a 2021 Digital Cities Survey award.
The City of Pueblo was recognized for its use of technology by the Center for Digital Government as a recipient of a 2021 Digital Cities Survey award.

Pueblo's Information Technology Department was also the recipient of the National Association of Government Professionals Pinnacle Award in 2019 and a 2012 City-County Communications and Marketing Association Savvy Award of Excellence in the association's overall website category.

"Our IT Department strives for excellence and innovation when selecting and implementing the technology solutions that serve our citizens," IT Director Lori Pinz said. "We have a good team."

Recent technology efforts by the city include implementation of a Permitting, Licensing and Code Enforcement (PLC) system through OpenGov, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software company used by public agencies across the nation. The PLC system allows for online permitting and licensing for Pueblo residents and businesses.

OpenGov's PLC technology will be utilized by Pueblo Means Business, a business permitting "one-stop-shop" championed by a task force of city and county public officials and business leaders. In addition to an online shop, Pueblo Means Business is working to open a physical location at 201 W. 8th St.

"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," according to a news release from the city.

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Other recent efforts by the Pueblo IT Department include upgrades to the city's 9-1-1 Communication Center to an Internet Protocol 9-1-1 system known as Next Generation 911. Pueblo is currently working to improve internet access to citizens throughout the city, according to the news release.

The CDG is a national institute dedicated to technology policy research and government technology advisory at state and local levels. It was launched by eRepublic, a national "smart media" and research company dedicated to innovation in the public sector.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo receives national recognition for technological advancement