Connected Colorado (C²) Challenge

What is the C² Challenge?

The C² Challenge provides an open-ended innovation process for government procurement that removes the need to meet specific requirements and provides an open door to business and academic innovators to propose new ways of solving a problem. The goal is to provide communities with innovative solutions to specific issues that they are facing. The challenge enables urban and rural communities to leverage a collaborative approach to explore, vet, and implement regionally applicable solutions. 

After surveying our member jurisdictions about issues currently facing Colorado communities, the 2024 C² Challenge seeks actionable solutions that address four specific problems:

  • Missing Middle Affordable Housing: What sustainable, innovative, and affordable construction options are available that reduce the risks imposed by construction defect litigation? This problem area is looking to attract proposals using innovative housing technologies, methods, or data that reduce the cost of housing through public-private partnerships with local jurisdictions.
  • Infrastructure Asset Analysis: How do we better understand the location, condition, or usage of infrastructure so we can better plan, manage and maintain it? This could include, but is not limited to pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, curb cuts, etc), bike infrastructure, trails, roads, signage, streetlights, stormwater, or even tree canopies.
  • Public Park and Open Space Usage: How do we better measure how our public parks and open spaces are utilized? This could include the number and types of people using different facilities, digital tools for increasing accessibility of parks, proactively identifying needed maintenance, or detecting and responding to security issues.
  • Crime Prevention: Cities are looking for new ways to both address violent crime, proactively prevent crime, and increase feelings of safety and security in their boundaries. How can cities use innovative technologies to better prevent or respond to community resilience and feelings of safety.

To stay informed about the Challenge and other Alliance efforts, click here to be added to our distribution list.

Submit a Solution

The 2024 Challenge application opens on June 4. Stay tuned for details!

We will be announcing an Information Session for solution providers soon!

Purpose

To identify and test innovative solutions to the challenges threatening Colorado’s quality of life through an open, collaborative process.

Benefits

This is a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with smart cities in Colorado to develop and test solutions in real world environments while also gaining exposure within the Alliance network of more than 70 public, private, academic and allied members.

How does the C² Challenge work?

The C² Challenge process is divided into three separate stages:

  • Intake
    • Proposals are submitted via provided intake form
    • Deployment Board (made up of participating government employees) evaluates solutions
    • Deployment Board members choose solutions to implement in their communities
  • Execution
    • Cities partner with providers to implement solutions in their communities
  • Assessment
    • Assess results for outcomes

Timeline

Resources

  • Deployment Board FAQ (for public sector or community decision makers who will evaluate the solutions submitted)

In 2023, the Alliance’s C² Challenge received 75 solutions!

The 2023 Challenge resulted in eight solutions being selected as Winners for scoping and demonstration in Colorado communities (Press Release: Innovative Technologies Selected as Winners for Deployment by Local Governments Across Colorado).

 

Testimonials:

“I really love that [the Revive! Challenge] is saving time for the private sector through a single application process, and that it increases the efficiency of government employees, who can now work together implementing a joint solution.” – Melanie Ward, City of Centennial

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with at least one Colorado municipality [and potentially more] to redefine how our cities are being developed. The process of the Revive! Challenge was a truly great experience. The Alliance team was open, clear, responsive and informative and it made it a very positive experience for us as a solution provider.” – Dana Chermesh-Reshef, inCitu