About Us

A World Class Geospatial Program

geospatialDENVER has been recognized as a leader in applying geospatial technology by receiving numerous industry awards, by contributing to GIS publications nation-wide, and by serving as a model geospatial program for other municipal and county governments.  geospatialDENVER continues to develop datasets, map products, and new systems that optimize innovation and increase operational efficiency throughout the City.  The GIS staff is committed to improvement through education in emerging technologies with industry and in-house training, technical conference attendance, and participation in local and national user groups in order to improve the geospatial program with the shared goal of building a sustainable world class city.

Operating on an Enterprise Platform

Denver’s geospatial program has been evolving since its inception due to advancements in technology and increased demand for geospatial capabilities.  Costs have been greatly reduced by the development of a strong centralized core, while services have been maximized by a distribution of specialized staff throughout various departments and agencies.

• Technology Services as the central operating unit
  TS manages the enterprise-wide GIS environment to leverage resources and systems that support all other departments and agencies.  They collect, manage, and store all of the city’s geospatial data. Access to this data is provided through a wide range of applications that help employees, citizens, and businesses make better decisions, faster.
• Specialized staff throughout the city
  geospatialDENVER staff are subject matter experts for  their agencies as well as GIS technology specialists.  They act as liaisons between their departments and all other agencies, creating and consuming shared geospatial data while also representing the needs and goals of the department they serve.
• Guided by the GIS User Committee (GUC)
  Formerly known as the GIS Steering Committee, this collaborative group is made up of GIS staff from City agencies and Technology Services who organize, plan, and implement geospatial technology for Denver.  Efforts have led to improved business operations, better customer support and interoperability among city agencies.  The GUC also promotes collaboration at the regional and state levels by actively participating in external initiatives, such as regional aerial photography, ensuring that the City and County of Denver remains at the forefront of developments in geospatial technology.
• Data is the foundation
  The most fundamental component of a geographic information system is the data it contains. It must be appropriate, accurate, and timely. This is the foundation upon which good decisions are based. Subject matter experts and data analysts in geospatialDENVER create, collect, document, and maintain an enormous amount of geospatial data for the use of city staff while insuring easy access and retrieval by citizens, educators, and the business community.

Supporting Citywide Functions

Geospatial technology has become deeply embedded into city functions. From permitting to economic development to emergency response, geographic information systems are crucial to effectively delivering services that protect and improve our community. Here’s what geospatialDENVER does for the City: