Colorado Smart Cities Alliance Launches Fourth Annual C2 Challenge Seeking Technology Solutions for Colorado Communities
Innovators are Encouraged to Submit Ideas for the Opportunity to Implement Solutions with Government Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, CO [June 4, 2024] – The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance (Alliance) is launching the fourth annual C² Challenge, aiming to source innovative technology solutions that address four specific problems faced by Colorado communities: missing middle affordable housing, infrastructure asset analysis, public park and open space usage, and crime prevention.
Companies and universities with applicable solutions are invited to submit a proposal by July 26 for a chance to work with Colorado jurisdictions to implement their next-generation solution.
A consortium of at least eleven forward-thinking jurisdictions will collaboratively evaluate proposed solutions and select those that uniquely address the issues in their community. Winners of the C² Challenge will have the opportunity to demonstrate their solution with at least one community in Colorado.
This is a unique opportunity for solution providers to collaborate directly with smart cities in Colorado to develop and test their idea in a real-world environment while also gaining exposure within the Alliance network of more than 70 public, private, academic and allied members.
Confirmed public sector participants thus far include the following jurisdictions: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), City and County of Denver, Arapahoe County, Jefferson County, City of Aspen, City of Centennial, City of Colorado Springs, Commerce City, City of Greeley, City of Lakewood, and Arapahoe Libraries. Additional governments may be announced as the challenge progresses. The emphasis is on low-cost scalable solutions, with costs being capped at $25,000. An information session for solution providers will be held on June 18th.
“As we embark on our fourth year of the C² Challenge, we are keenly attuned to the tangible impact of this initiative. We’ve observed the remarkable scalability of winning projects over successive years, which change Colorado communities in real, practical ways.,” remarked Tyler Svitak, Executive Director of the Alliance. “The Challenge creates an internationally-unique opportunity for public-private partnerships that improve our state’s infrastructure, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s Challenge produces for Colorado.”
Last year, the C² Challenge received 72 proposals from all over the world. Of those solutions, 8 winners were selected and given the opportunity to demonstrate their solutions in various Colorado communities, including robotic, electric snow plows, navigation technology for the blind, and real-time crash detection.
The C² Challenge enables urban and rural communities to leverage a collaborative approach to explore, vet and implement regionally applicable solutions through an outcome-driven process. This open and competitive process allows governments to have an opportunity to learn about the many different tools available to them in tackling complex challenges while exploring a new process for identifying potential solutions. Problem statements were determined through a collaborative process where member governments were asked to submit challenge areas and were then surveyed to determine the highest priorities across communities in Colorado.
To submit a solution for consideration or for more information, visit the C² Challenge webpage or contact Alliance Director of Marketing & Communications Chelsea Barrett at chelsea@coloradosmart.city.
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The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance is the first state-wide alliance of its kind in the nation, bringing together public, private, federal research, and academic sector leaders committed to advancing smarter communities. Through partnership development, education, and capacity-building, the Alliance has facilitated some of the most innovative government technology projects in the state.
Contact
Chelsea Barrett
Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
chelsea@coloradosmart.city
