Colorado OCIO recommends state-wide public identity solution for agencies

In a recent meeting of the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Subcommittee on General Government, discussions centered on the implementation of a public-facing identity solution aimed at streamlining access to state services. This initiative, which has already been adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Motor Vehicles, seeks to create a secure single sign-on system for residents interacting with various state agencies.

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) presented a recommendation to expand this identity solution across additional state agencies, including the State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education. Currently, many agencies maintain separate authentication systems, leading to a confusing array of login credentials for users. By consolidating these systems, the state aims to enhance security and improve user experience, potentially serving around 275,000 users each month.

The Governor has proposed an expenditure of approximately $108,000 over the 2025-2027 biennium to support this initiative and expand the necessary cloud infrastructure. This funding is expected to facilitate the rollout of the single sign-on system to more agencies, which could lead to significant cost savings by reducing reliance on third-party platforms.

However, concerns were raised during the meeting about the potential for non-user agencies to subsidize those that adopt the new system. The OCIO reassured the subcommittee that the long-term goal is to make the solution available to all executive branch agencies, ensuring equitable access and support across the board.

As this initiative progresses, it promises to simplify the way Nevadans interact with state services, making it easier and more secure for residents to access the resources they need. The next steps will involve further assessments and discussions to ensure a smooth implementation across all interested agencies.