2026 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards
Colorado Technology Association’s Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards is part technology conference, part celebration of the best in Colorado tech. The event features powerful keynotes, dynamic panels, and interactive company showcases, followed by a celebration of the people and companies driving the Colorado tech industry forward with the announcement of this year’s APEX Award winners.
Mark Your Calendar: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Registration deadline: February 6
2026 Event Highlights:
- Keynote Speakers: Hear from influential leaders shaping the future of technology and innovation.
- Panel Discussions: Explore critical topics, including accessibility in tech and safety innovation, through dynamic conversations with Colorado leaders.
- Innovation Hall: Experience cutting-edge technologies and meet the leading organizations driving innovation in Colorado.
- Book Signing: Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s featured author!
- APEX Awards Celebration: Celebrate the people and organizations setting the standard for excellence in Colorado tech as we reveal the 2026 award winners.
Questions? Email eventsmgr@coloradotechnology.org.
2026 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
8:00 am-2:00 pm
Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St, Denver, CO 80202
Presented by
CTA is committed to accessible, inclusive events. If you need accommodations (such as ASL, captioning, assistive listening, or alternative materials), please contact us at accessibility@
2026 Keynote Speakers
David Cohen
Seth Levine
Tami Door (Moderator)
Renee Wynn
2026 Panelists
Protecting Communities: Technology at the Front Lines of Safety
Stephanie Y. O’Malley (Moderator)
Al Garner
Chandy Ghosh
Andre McGreggor
John Walsh
Advancing Accessibility Through Technology
Councilman Chris Hinds (Moderator)
Holly Bise
Mike Hess
Owen Kent
Dr. Candace Tefertiller
APEX AWARDS CATEGORIES
Individuals and organizations from the public sector, private sector, and consulting firms are eligible to apply.
CEO of the Year
This award recognizes a creative, innovative, and determined CEO of a Colorado-based tech organization who drives the vibrancy of the Colorado tech economy beyond their business and has overcome obstacles to lead their organization to success. CEOs from all organization sizes are eligible.
2026 Finalists:
Dr. Ben Bloom, Atom Computing
Bradley Cheetham, Advanced Space
Helen Young Hayes, ActivateWork
CIO/Tech Leader of the Year
This award recognizes a Colorado-based CIO, CTO, CDO or Head of Technology who has demonstrated ingenuity in leading an IT team and implementing technology projects that improve organizational effectiveness. Nominees from all orgnization sizes are eligible.
2026 Finalists:
Michael Archuleta, Mt. San Rafael Hospital
Mark Bridges, CableLabs
Kim Brown Wilmsen, Arrow Electronics
CISO of the Year
This award recognizes a Colorado-based CISO who has implemented a security program that accelerated their organization’s success. The winner will have demonstrated excellence in using people, processes, and technologies to align the security program to deliver on the organization’s core mission. CISOs from all organization sizes are eligible.
2026 Finalists:
Jill Fraser, Governor’s Office of Information Technology
Sam Masiello, The Anschutz Corporation
Brenden Smith, FirstBank
Company of the Year
This award recognizes a Colorado-based organization that demonstrates excellence across all areas of business performance—delivering strong financial results, driving innovation through technology, addressing real needs in the marketplace, and leading with purpose through community engagement and corporate responsibility.
*The organization must have been in operation for at least 5 years.
2026 Finalists:
EchoStar
Guild
Trimble
Talent and Access Champion of the Year
This award recognizes an individual/organization who is making a significant impact on building and strengthening the technology talent pipeline in Colorado. The recipient actively leads and supports initiatives that are building and ensuring a strong local pipeline of qualified workers for technology organizations and IT departments across the state.
2026 Finalists:
Steve Goslee, TechNation Careers
Mike Hess, Blind Institute of Technology (BIT)
Judy Kennelley, Integrity Network
Emerging Leader of the Year
This award recognizes a Colorado-based tech professional between the ages of 21-40 who:
- Is passionate about technology and makes significant contributions to their organization or the industry overall.
- Excels at their role and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
- Shows great potential to grow in their area of expertise and as a leader in the tech community.
2026 Finalists:
Brandon Archuleta, Governor’s Office of Information Technology
Tessa Aubry, UnionHub
Gaëlle Koanda BAE Systems
Emerging Tech Company of the Year
This award recognizes Colorado’s most promising technology organization in operation for 5 years or less. Organizations recognized with this award meet a unique need in the marketplace with their product or service, demonstrate technical innovation, and are accepted or celebrated by customers and/or the Colorado tech industry. The company must be headquartered in Colorado.
2026 Finalists:
BOPA Precision Agriculture
RenewRx
SurePath AI
Project of the Year
This award recognizes a tech project that:
- Solves a real-world problem in an innovative way, driving value and impact for the organization/industry.
- Demonstrates meaningful collaboration and successful, measurable results.
- Overcomes obstacles and meets strategic objectives and goals.
2026 Finalists:
EchoStar
Emergent Campus
St. Vrain Valley School District
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.
The Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award winner is selected by previous honorees in this category.
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.
The Advocate of the Year is selected by the CTA President and CEO.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Interested in 2026 sponsorship opportunities? Contact Peter Schwartz at 303-592-4070 or peter@coloradotechnology.org.
