And publicly available data can now illuminate solutions to challenges like no other time in our history. There is no single entity that collects and manages more data than government. Unfortunately, many of the systems and processes that collect this data have not kept up with the demand and the potential for it.

The world-wide Open Data movement asks government entities of all sizes to make their data—a public asset—available to developers and entrepreneurs so its potential can be realized.

GO CODE COLORADO IS TAKING A LEAD POSITION IN THIS MOVEMENT.

The first and only statewide effort of its kind, Go Code Colorado brings together a community of entrepreneurs, business partners, and developers to make use of public data through a series of events. These events center around a challenge weekend in five cities across the state, engaging the entire state in two days of innovation around the use of public data. Teams in each of the five cities compete to build apps that use public data to help businesses make smarter decisions. Two teams from each city move on in the competition, getting help from a network of mentors—including a Mentor Weekend in Boulder—as they further develop their ideas. The teams come back together again for a Final Event where they pitch their ideas to judges.

The three teams deemed the best are awarded a contract with the state—an invaluable first customer to a fledgling business that provides critical initial revenue.

Go Code Colorado is an initiative through the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, which seeks to return value to Colorado businesses from business registration fees they collect. In its inaugural year, this is the value Go Code Colorado returned to our state:

Go Code Colorado increased civic engagement in the business, entrepreneurial, and tech communities. Business leaders volunteered their time across the event series because they desire more access to government data—they know how important this is to economic development. 29 businesses supported open data and Go Code Colorado through $75,000 in cash donations and $120,000 worth of in-kind donations. Companies like Google, Esri, SendGrid, Rally Software and Gnip (now Twitter) all participated.

• Dozens of business leaders volunteered a day with Go Code Colorado organizers to define the problems they face that public data can help solve.
• 179 people attended the Kickoff event.
• 130 people and 25 teams competed in the challenge weekend across Colorado (Boulder, Denver, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, and Durango).
• The Mentor Weekend brought together 23 mentors to meet with ten teams.
• The Final event attracted 223 people.

Go Code Colorado is the most concerted effort in the state to increase the volume of public data in the state’s central repository.

33 new data sets were published as a result of last year’s efforts by agencies such as Revenue, Local Affairs, and Higher Education.

At least three businesses were created around three apps that use this data. For instance, the winning team, Beagle Score created an app that helps provide a scorecard for business site-location decisions. Beagle Score relies on many public data sets, including:

• Business Registration
• City Taxes
• County Taxes
• Crime Statistics
• NREL energy statistics
• Traffic counts
• Nearest Intersection
• Energy rates and providers
• Broadband service

Go Code Colorado is flipping traditional government procurement on its head, creating value to Colorado businesses and society.

According to the Standish Group, 94% of large federal IT projects over the past ten years were unsuccessful. Over 50% were delayed, over budget, or didn’t meet user expectations, and 41% failed completely.

Go Code Colorado challenges developers and entrepreneurs to solve business problems using public data by awarding companies who create working apps, not those with just a promise to do so.

Go Code Colorado imagines a day when pulling a data report is a matter of a few pop up menu selections, and doesn’t require specialized knowledge, when data managers across government are able to focus on the work they do best and anyone can access the public data they collect and curate.

This is the promise of open data, and the step forward taking place with Go Code Colorado.

When can I start?

This year, teams can form and work can begin right now. That’s right: You can code, concept, and get rolling before Challenge Weekend. 

• You can also start without a team and show up toChallenge Weekend with your idea and maybe some code.
• You can form a team locally.
• You can form a team online with our page on Collab Finder.
• You can attend one of our Road Shows or Sponsored Meetups and find team members.
• You can show up April 1st with no idea, no team, and just participate. Just be ready to tell teams what skills you bring to the table.

How do I sign up for challenge weekend?

Choose a location and register here.

Can I switch locations?

If you want to change locations you can — we just ask that you let the organizers know at [email protected]

What makes a good team?

The most successful Go Code Colorado teams have skill sets found in developers, designers, marketers, thinkers, and entrepreneurs. Are you one of these? If so Colorado needs you! Building successful, sustainable apps with public data that local businesses can actually requires all kinds of folks helping. This is hands-on economic development. Your B2B apps will help your local community and support businesses throughout Colorado.

If you are looking for a team, check out CollabFinder. This is where people who want to compete will post their profile to find like-minds and form a team prior to Challenge Weekend.

We published the Challenge Statement that was created by Colorado businesses (the target market for your app and business ideas). We want to encourage terrific app and business ideas so we don’t have any requirements surrounding when you can start. You can get going today. But Challenge Weekend is your chance to get to work in a focused environment, with Go Code Colorado organizers available to help with rules, data, or other questions, as well as tech entrepreneur mentors available to offer their advice for winning ideas.

Challenge Weekends will be held in five regions across the state. This year we are again in Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins and Grand Junction. Food and drinks are provided, so all you need to bring is your laptop or tablet, an idea and a willingness to go big or go home.

Collaborate. Code. Compete.

• 2016 Criteria
  INNOVATION, IMPLEMENTATION, QUALITY/USEFULNESS AND USABILITY, PRESENTATION, POTENTIAL IMPACT, RELEVANCE, USE OF DATA SOURCES