News for the Statewide Procurement Community from the State Purchasing & Contracts Office
From the CPO
The SPCO published a Procurement Training Policy earlier this month to provide specific guidelines and help agencies plan their overall procurement training strategies. The intent of the policy is that each agency/IHE should have formalized expectations around training for procurement staff; provide training to program staff as appropriate based on its procurement operations and make basic training available at least annually; and maintain records of this training.
As the SPCO continues to expand the robust statewide procurement training program, we are dedicated to supporting agency/IHE partners as they develop their own department-specific training goals. I see this new policy as an important piece of that support. If you have any questions about how this policy may impact your office, please work with your procurement official.
Sincerely,
Sherri Maxwell, CPPB
Chief Procurement Officer
 The SPCO is hiring a Procurement Performance Management Specialist!
The SPCO is seeking a dynamic professional to join our team in a role that blends project management, process improvement, systems administration, and data analysis and reporting. This is your chance to drive meaningful change in Colorado’s state procurement landscape—enhancing efficiency, optimizing tools, and delivering impact across agencies. If you’re passionate about public service and thrive on turning big ideas into actionable solutions, come be part of a collaborative team that’s shaping the future of procurement in Colorado. Join the SPCO and help us make a lasting difference!
If you're interested in working with a great team (that is still fully remote), check out the details below.
Procurement Performance Management Specialist (Contract Administrator IV - Hybrid) | Closes on 6/17/2025
SPCO Updates & Highlights
The SPCO is happy to share that John Chapman has stepped in as the Acting CCU Manager. Agencies should continue working with your assigned contract specialist. John is also staying on as the State Price Agreement Manager, so no changes there.
Our Instructional Designer Thomas Wilson was highlighted in the April edition of the Learning & Development for the State of Colorado newsletter. Follow this link to read his profile.
 2025 Rising Star Award
The Chief Procurement Officer gives the Rising Star Award each spring to recognize and honor those who are early in their state procurement careers but have already shown great potential and growth. Nominations are sought for procurement professionals who are within their first two years of procurement or state procurement and deserve this special recognition, and are open to state agencies and higher education institutions.
This year, we received 13 nominations for procurement professionals who are doing outstanding work. The Executive Procurement Advisory Council (Exec PAC) had the difficult task of choosing just one winner, and this year it is... Eric Courtot from the Department of Public Safety! As a purchasing agent for the Department of Public Safety, Erin is known for hard work and taking on new tasks to build on her procurement skillset and has become a valuable asset for CDPS. Congratulations, Erin!
 Please visit our Exec PAC webpage to view the "Award Ceremony" video and to read the full compilation of nominations.
We'd also like to recognize the other nominees, each of whom is truly making a difference with their work:
- Hugo Cartaya from the Department of Early Childhood
- Sharon Crocco from the Department of Early Childhood
- Amy Delgadillo from the Department of Early Childhood
- Kellie Harris from the Department of Early Childhood
- Brittany Henry from the Governor’s Office of Information Technology
- Sidney Michl from the Department of Natural Resources
- Tammi Myers from Arapahoe Community College
- Chelsey Nutter from the Department of Natural Resources
- Celes Phillips from the Department of Public Health & Environment
- Terri Polley from the Department of Natural Resources
- Spencer Schor from the Department of Natural Resources
- Dustin Thomas from the Department of Human Services
Congratulations to Erin, and thank you to all of the nominees for everything you do for the State of Colorado!
As a reminder, all past nominations and winners can be viewed on the Procurement Advisory Council webpage.
Canary for State Price Agreements
The State Purchasing & Contracts Office has launched a supplier performance management tool called Canary for State Price Agreements!
With Canary for State Price Agreements, you can now provide feedback on the suppliers that you’ve worked with! Similar to Yelp or TripAdvisor, you’re able to submit ratings and reviews that are visible to fellow procurement professionals and suppliers.
Everyone who can use State Price Agreements can also use Canary- both to contribute reviews and to read the reviews written by other users. This includes all state agencies, institutions of higher education, local governments, and certified nonprofits. Suppliers can see the reviews written about them.
Please visit and bookmark our Canary for State Price Agreements webpage. In addition to the link to Colorado’s Canary portal and more information, we also have a recorded user demonstration of Canary, along with the slides.
When you’re ready, please take a few minutes to share your feedback on suppliers you have worked with. Please note that you will be prompted to register on Procurated before submitting your first review. This verifies that you are an approved price agreement user, so please use your work email address to register.
If you have questions about State Price Agreements, please contact john.chapman@state.co.us. If you have questions about the Canary platform, please contact Jenny Doherty at jenny@procurated.com.
From the Statewide Equity Office: The Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory
This update is from the Statewide Equity Office. Any questions should be directed to david.musgrave@state.co.us.
What new directory is changing the business landscape in Colorado? The Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory!
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Buyers are finding it easier to find businesses to buy goods and services
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Sellers are creating free listings and using their existing certifications and documentation to verify their business size and ownership
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The directory unifies all certification types and programs
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Buyers are easily identifying the types of businesses they are purchasing from and sellers aren’t burdened with getting another certification
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Buyers using the directory are strengthening communities by keeping more money in the local economy
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The State of Colorado is measuring the utilization of various business types on the directory
Business Verification Types/Identifiers:
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HUBZone businesses are located in economically disadvantaged areas in the state (HUBZones are determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration)
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Small businesses within the small business size standards as established by the U.S. Small Business Administration
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Diverse-owned businesses with at least 51% ownership and control by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons
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Veteran-owned businesses with at least 51% ownership and control by a person who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. military
Verification Benefits:
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Increased visibility to buyers across the state
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Upcoming training and event notifications
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Logos to use on promotional materials (verified businesses only)
Three Easy Steps to Apply & Verify:
Businesses registered in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State can apply and be listed in the directory within three business days!
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Step 1: Complete the online application
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Step 2: Submit business credentials for verification (if applicable)
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Step 3: Maintain business registration
Share the word! Apply & verify today!
More information can be found on the Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory webpage.
REMINDER: Accessibility & Procurement
As the State's accessibility standards continue to evolve, its important that we all stay up-to-date on the latest developments. OIT, who is responsible for these standards, has a webpage dedicated to Accessibility for Procurement. They also publish a monthly accessibility newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
Accessibility requirements are also included in the SPCO's solicitation and contract templates.
Procurement Training Update
In 2025 we've launched three new training courses in COPROU:
- Cooperative Purchasing,
- State Contract Terms and Conditions, and
- Introduction to ITNs micro-training.
Log in to COPROU to explore them if you haven't already.
Upcoming training projects include:
- Specification Drafting,
- Market Research, and
- Statement of Work Drafting.
We hope to make all three courses available by the end of the calendar year, and will share more details in the coming months.
Questions about procurement training should be sent to thomas.wilson@state.co.us.
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The SPCO needs your help! We are looking for your feedback about the Price Agreement suppliers that you have worked with. Please visit our