The new system will include the state's traditional unemployment benefits and pandemic relief programs in a single cloud environment, moving on from an old mainframe.

Officials say filling the uncommon role will help ensure technology initiatives are "strategically aligned with customer demands."

The state's Office of Information Technology has delayed addressing audit recommendations related to major systems implementations twice in the last four years.

The Colorado Digital Service will be modeled on the U.S. Digital Service, with "digital service experts" hired for short-term stints with the state government, Gov. Jared Polis said.

A federal grant will help the state make improvements in health-data governance and healthcare IT, Gov. Jared Polis said.

After eight years with the state, Brandon Williams is departing for a government role in Eagle County, Colorado.