APEX Awards - Colorado Technology Association

2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards: Building a Better Tomorrow

Celebrate Colorado Technology Association’s 30th anniversary at our 2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards! This event (part technology conference, part celebration of the best in Colorado tech) brings together pioneers, innovators and visionaries to reflect on three decades of progress, envision the future and honor those who have propelled us forward.

The Colorado Tech Summit is the place to connect with one another, exchange ideas, and grow. This event includes powerful keynotes, dynamic panels, and interactive company technology and showcases.

The APEX Awards brings the community together to celebrate the exceptional people, companies, and accomplishments of 2023. Recipients of the APEX Awards lead the way for Colorado tech. This year will also feature a special celebration of the Colorado Technology Association community.

Click HERE to see photos from last year’s event!

Nominations are now open through December 1!

Did your company come up with an incredible innovation this year? Did you see a leader really rise to the top? Is there a rising star in your organization who should be recognized? We invite you to nominate an individual or company for this year’s Colorado Technology Association APEX Awards! Discover further details about the award categories and the application process below.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards

March 8, 2024

Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St, Denver, CO 80202

2024 EVENT THEME

In a world that is constantly evolving, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping our future. “Building a Better Tomorrow” is not just a theme; it’s a call to action. Throughout this year’s event, we will discuss the limitless possibilities of technology, its power to shape the world around us and how we can better prepare our community and our workforce.

Let’s explore the ways in which technology can be harnessed responsibly and ethically to address global challenges. “Building a Better Tomorrow” is a commitment to creating a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and filled with endless possibilities.

Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of CTA, and together, let’s continue Building a Better Tomorrow through technology.

APEX AWARDS CATEGORIES

Advocate of the Year

This individual is advancing the technology industry in Colorado through their leadership in moving forward policies and ideas that ensure our state’s status as a prominent tech hub.
Past Recipients

2023 – Lee Wheeler-Berliner, Colorado Workforce Development Council
2022 – Scott Laband, President, Colorado Succeeds
2020- Anthony Neal-Graves, CIO & ED, Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2019 – Mayor Michael B. Hancock, City & County of Denver
2018 – State Senator Jack Tate
2017 – State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp
2016 – Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers
2015 – State Sen. Rollie Heath and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
2014 – Representative Dan Pabon and Paul Washington, Denver OED
2013 – Rep. Angela Williams and Sen. Mark Scheffel
2011 – Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, Representative Carole Murray, Senator Cheri Jahn and Senator Linda Newell
2010 – Representative Mike May, Senator Josh Penry and the Republican Caucus
2005 – Brian Vogt, OEDIT

NOMINATE HERE

Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement

This individual has made outstanding achievements and commitments to furthering innovative technology in our community and the state and has contributed to the initiatives of Colorado Technology Association.
Past Recipients

2023 – Betty Arkell
2022 – Sandi Mays
2020- Barbara Mowry
2019 – Rich Liner, KidsTek
2018 – Kristin Russell, Arrow Electronics
2017 – Andre Durand, Ping Identity
2016 – Lucy Sanders, NCWIT
2015 – Steve Halstedt
2014 – J.B. Holston, Sitrion
2013 – Dan Caruso, Zayo Group
2012 – Nancy Sauer
2011 – John Oechsle, DigitalGlobe
2010 – Nancy Phillips, ViaWest
2009 – Jon Nordmark, eBags and Wambo
2008 – Brad Feld, Foundry Group
2007 – Barbara Bauer, GlobalSight Partners
2006 – Scott Burt, Integro
2005 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2004 – Donna Auguste, Leave A Little Room Foundation
2003 – Wayne Berger, Solano Foundation
2002 – Donald J. McCubbery, University of Denver
2001 – Bob Newman, JD Edwards

NOMINATE HERE

CEO of the Year

These creative, innovative and determined founder or CEO’s lead a Colorado-based tech organization. In addition to the daily role of leading their organization, they work to drive the vibrancy of the tech economy beyond their business.
Past Recipients

2023 – Rachel Romer, Guild Education
2022 – Phil McKinney, CableLabs
2020- Dan Mackin, Rule4
2019 – Brandon Ridenour, ANGI Homeservices
2018 – Brock Berry, AdCellerant
2017 – Shawn Mills, Green House Data
2016 – Annette Quintana, Istonish
2015 – Dave Wright, SolidFire

NOMINATE HERE

CIO of the Year

This outstanding Chief Information Officer has demonstrated considerable ingenuity in leading an IT team and implementing technology projects that demonstrably improve the effectiveness of their organization.
Past Recipients

2023 – David Edinger, City and County of Denver
2022 – Michelle Bourgeois, St. Vrain Valley Schools
2020- Atilla Tinic, DISH Network
2019 – Sandi Mays, Zayo
2018 – Suma Nallapati, Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2017 – Jeff Robertson, DigitalGlobe
2016 – Vin Melvin, Arrow Electronics
2015 – John Swieringa, CIO of the Year
2014 – Dave Anderson, CH2M Hill

NOMINATE HERE

CISO of the Year

This innovative Chief Information Security Officer has implemented a security program that accelerated the success of her/his Colorado-based business. Utilizing people, processes and technologies, this security leader has positioned the security program to deliver on the core mission of the organization.
Past Recipients

2023 – Julie Chickillo, Guild Education
2022 – Artie Wilkowsky, DISH
2020- Brennan Baybeck, Oracle
2019 – James Carder, LogRhythm
2018 – Robb Reck, Ping Identity
2017 – Matt Shufeldt, Cognizant

NOMINATE HERE

Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence

This entrepreneurial leader has contributed to multiple businesses, with at least one as a tech company started, grown and operated in Colorado. They have a true passion to seek out problems to solve, and they organize, manage and assume the risk of a business or enterprise.
Past Recipients

2023 – Maureen “Mo” Berkner Boyt, The Moxie Exchange
2022 – Matt Frary, Managed Chaos Holdings
2020 – Shawn Mills, Lunavi
2019 – Trent R. Hein, Rule4
2018 – Sudha Chandrasekharan, Learn-Skillz
2017 – Elia Wallen, Traveler’s Haven & Hotel Engine
2016 – Page Tucker, ProStar Geocorp
2014 – Jeremy Ostermiller, Altitutde Digital
2013 – Peter Hudson, iTriage LLC
2012 – Bart Lorang, FullContact
2011 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2010 – Roy Dimoff, ViaWest
2009 – John Tredennick, Catalyst Repository Systems

NOMINATE HERE

Company of the Year

This Colorado-based company’s overall performance sets it apart as a leader through technical innovation and concrete examples of how it is meeting a need in the marketplace. This company also is a strong leader in the community and shows corporate responsibility.
Past Recipients

2023 – LogRhythm
2022 – AMP Robotics
2020 – Convercent
2019 – CableLabs
2018 – HomeAdvisor
2017 – SendGrid
2016 – ViaWest
2015 – SpotX
2014 – LogRhythm
2013 – Ping Identity
2012 – Mercury
2011 – Rivet Software
2010 – ServiceMagic
2009 – GTRI
2007 – Webroot
2006 – Webroot
2005 – Webroot
2004 – eCollege
2003 – FRxSoftware
2002 – DataTrend Information Systems

NOMINATE HERE

Emerging Leader of the Year

This Emerging Leader has demonstrated a commitment to the Colorado tech industry by showing passion for technology and making significant contributions to their organization or the industry overall. They excel at their role and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally and personally. This individual shows great potential to grow in their area of expertise and as a leader in the tech community.
Past Recipients

2023 – Drew Port, Rule4
2022 – Nina Vendhan, Studio Management
2020- Leidy Pérez, Zayo Group
2019 – Jamie Cohen, ANGI Homeservices
2018 – Samuel Thomas Elliot, Amnet

NOMINATE HERE

Emerging Tech Company of the Year

This is Colorado’s most promising emerging company in operation for five years or less. They are innovative and identified a need in the marketplace for the product or service.
Past Recipients

2023 – Rule4
2022 – Tilt
2020- Crusoe Energy Systems, Inc
2019 – Bluestaq
2018 – Pax8
2017 – PAIRIN
2016 – Couragion
2015 – BluFlux
2014 – GeoPoll
2013 – Cloud Elements

NOMINATE HERE

Project of the Year

This project, implemented by an innovative IT department, solved a business problem with strategic objectives and innovation and overcame obstacles, met goals and demonstrated team collaboration.
Past Recipients

2023 – Adams 12 Five Star Schools
2022 – Governor’s Office of IT
2020 – Colorado Department of Revenue
2019 – St. Vrain Valley Schools
2018 – Levels Beyond
2017 – Braxton Technologies
2016 – Arrow Electronics & Indiegogo Certification Program
2015 – DigitalGlobe
2014 – GoCode Colorado, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office
2013 – Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2012 – Pixorial
2011 – PEI
2010 – Lincoln Trust Company

NOMINATE HERE

DE&I Talent Champion of the Year

This individual/organization builds and strengthens the technology talent pipeline by leading and supporting initiatives to construct and ensure a strong, diverse local pipeline of tech workers in the state.
Past Recipients

2023 – Ashlie Arnold, Pax8
2022 – Alejandro Dopico, PC’s For People – Denver
2020 – Helen Young Hayes, Activate Workforce Solutions
2019 – Alan Buller, FEDC TechSTART
2018 – Heather Terenzio, Techtonic Group
2017 – Global MindED
2016 – CareerWise Colorado
2015 – Blind Institute of Technology

NOMINATE HERE

DBJ: Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence

DBJ: Advocate of the Year

Interested in 2024 sponsorship opportunities? Contact Peter Schwartz at 303-592-4070 or peter@coloradotechnology.org.