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: 

Assessment

  • Catalog real and business personal property
  • Determine and defend property values
  • Maintain records of ownership and land utilization

Community Planning & Development

  • Analyze land use and zoning
  • Map the regulatory framework for the planning department
  • Create 3D visualization models
  • Support citizen engagement and community outreach
  • Integrate data for a location-based permitting system

Denver Elections Division

  • Map election race results and voter turnout data
  • Provide maps of voting locations for public use
  • Create and maintain voter precinct boundaries
  • Voting and ballot drop-off site selection
  • Analyze and validate voter addresses and registration
  • Coordinate and identify political boundaries with other city and state agencies
  • Identify and validate voters within special districts
  • Provide analysis and maps for special requests regarding election results and voting patterns

Denver International Airport

  • Organize a large, complex airport system using GIS
  • Analyze and manage airport information consistently
  • Pioneer airport implementation of Enterprise GIS

 

Economic Development

  • Affordable housing
  • Site selection
  • Workforce identification
  • Business retention and attraction
  • Development opportunity areas
  • Environmental and historic preservation compliance

Environmental Health

  • Support health & environmental regulatory compliance and oversight
  • Map restaurant and child care facility inspections
  • Respond to citizen health & environmental inquiries
  • Assist EH Emergency Response Team
  • Support energy sustainability and outreach programs

Open Government

  • Promote transparency and accountability
  • Provide access to the city’s geospatial database
  • Support 311 operations
  • Collaborate and share data at the regional and state levels
  • Improve knowledge to guide personal and private investments

Parks & Rec

  • Track and locate park assets and natural resources
  • Plan, design, and manage parks and open space
  • Provide information about parks, trails, and recreational opportunities to the public

Public Safety and Emergency Management

  • Support 911 dispatch and management
  • Analyze response times
  • Identify patterns of criminal activity
  • Emergency operations center incident support

 

Transportation and Infrastructure

  • Maintain subdivision data, lots and blocks, rights-of-way and easements
  • Optimize facility locations
  • Issue new street addresses
  • Manage wastewater and related systems
  • Support the impervious surface billing system
  • Integrate the street map as a platform for citywide data
  • Design and maintain infrastructure
  • Manage capital improvement projects