Hansen takes role as Colo. secretary of technology

John Hansen, Colorado's chief technology officer, has been appointed state technology secretary, the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology announced today.

Hansen is replacing Marc Holtzman, recently named president of the University of Denver.

Hansen will continue as CTO, a position he has held since the beginning of the year.

As secretary of technology and a member of Gov. Bill Owens' cabinet, Hansen will manage the Governor's Office of Innovation and Technology and oversee technology programs and initiatives.

One key program is the Innovation Infrastructure, which aims to improve service to citizens while lowering costs, establish Colorado as a national technology destination and create jobs by cultivating innovation and technology entrepreneurship.

"Our goal is to create an environment that will attract new companies, new sources of capital and new funding for research and development," Hansen said. He said this will be achieved through technology transfer programs, e-government policy support, entrepreneurial development programs and collaborative initiatives that bring leaders together.

Under Hansen's CTO leadership, the state has launched an e-government initiative, established a program management office to document and measure a strategic information technology plan, hired a chief security officer and initiated a statewide security and privacy initiative.