CDOT Innovations Challenge
The Innovations Challenge is designed to identify and share the best innovations from all over the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) while also inspiring friendly competition. Innovations are crucial for improving the way we work, so we want to reward innovators and spread their innovations across the agency for others to borrow!
Welcome to CDOT's Innovations Challenge! This event, run by CDOT's Office of Process Improvement, is set out to highlight and reward YOUR innovations to better improve the work we do here at CDOT. No innovation is too big or small.
Submit your innovation today using our "I Fixed It!" form on our Lean Everyday Ideas (LEI) home page.
For more details on innovation requirements, the submission process, prizes and additional information, read below.
2023 Innovations Challenge Showcase!
This event was hosted on November 29th, 2023 where we celebrated and announced the winners of our 2023 Innovations Challenge. Watch a recording of the 2023 Innovations Challenge Showcase and view a list of the 2023 Innovations Challenge Winners.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 STATEWIDE WINNERS!
Judges’ Panel: The Judges’ Panel award was decided on predetermined criteria. The criteria are as follows:
Originality – How new is it to CDOT?
Transferability – How likely is it to be used by other areas?
Conservation of Resources – How much time or money does it save?
Organizational Impact – How will it impact performance?
Winner: Wildlife Underpass Sizing
Innovator: John Kronholm, from the Northwest Colorado Region (“Region 3”)
2nd Place: Standardized Work Order Process
Innovator: Brook Howard, from CDOT’s Denver / Central Region (“Region 1”)
3rd Place: Tool Library
Innovator: Breanna Payne, Division of Maintenance and Operations (DMO)
People’s Choice: The people’s choice was an award voted on by CDOT Employees based on their own personal criteria. The favorites were as follows.
Winner: Wildlife Underpass Sizing
Innovator: John Kronholm, from the Northwest Colorado Region (“Region 3”)
2nd Place: The Plow Spotter
Innovator: Matthew Stearns, from the Southeast Colorado Region (“Region 2”)
3rd Place (tie): Post-Construction Temporary Control Measure Removal Improvement
Innovator team from CDOT’s Northeast Colorado Region (“Region 4”) and the Division of Transportation Development (DTD) : Paul Juszczak, Nick Schipanski, Nick Mesenbrink, Kristyn Crowe, Michael Apps, Gregory Gaulin
3rd Place (tie): GIS Potholes Fieldmap & GEOHUB Layer Improvement
Innovator team from CDOT’s Northeast Colorado Region (“Region 4”): Kalli Wegren, Bradley Myers, Paul Juszczak
Honorable Mentions:
Innovator team from CDOT’s DOT’s Denver / Central Region (“Region 1”): Bob DeMoss, Mark Mohr, Juan Dimas, and Jonathan Buehrle
Innovator team from CDOT’s Northwest Colorado Region (“Region 3”): Scott Claussen and Cooper Starmer
Submission Requirements
Must be a current full-time, part-time or temporary employee at CDOT
Submissions must be made during the open submission period.
Current 2023 Innovations Challenge: NOW until the end of June (2023).
Innovations must have been implemented after (insert info).
Current 2023 Innovations Challenge:
Innovations must be submitted into the "I Fixed It!" channel or they will not be considered.
If you choose to remain anonymous in your submission, it will not be entered.
How to Submit Your Innovation
Go to the "I Fixed It!" submission form on the LEI: Innovation & Engagement Services page located under the "Submit your Ideas" section.
Complete the "I Fixed It!" form with information on your innovation.
Submit the form and make sure that you receive a confirmation email of your submission.
Once submitted, your innovation will go to expert judging teams from your region. They will select first-round, Regional winners who will then move on to the final, statewide round of judging.
Prizes
Regional Winners
Our first-round winners will receive administrative leave hours and will automatically move on to the final round of the competition - the 'Final Showcase.'
Statewide Judges' Panel Winners
Our final showcase winners will receive PRIZE.
Statewide People's Choice Winners
Submissions that are included in the final round of the competition will also be eligible for the People's Choice Award. Team CDOT will judge the submissions and select their favorite. The winner will receive a PRIZE!
Judging Criteria
Our subject matter experts will be judging innovations based on:
Originality – How new is it to CDOT?
Transferability – How likely is it to be used by other areas?
Conservation of Resources – How much time or money does it save?
Organizational Impact – How will it impact performance?
Contact Gary Vansuch, Director of the Office of Process Improvement, at gary.vansuch@state.co.us with any questions or comments!
Innovate Your State Today!