Colorado.gov Asks, “Why Do You Love Colorado?” with First-Ever Video Contest

Grand prize is $1,500 and a video feature on Colorado.gov

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beginning June 15^th, Colorado.gov is asking the public to share their personal Colorado stories with its first-ever video contest.

“This contest is an opportunity for people to really get creative and have fun”

The contest, sponsored by the Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA), runs through June 30th and challenges participants to create a three-minute video answering the question, “Why do you love Colorado?”

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,500 and a video showcase on Colorado.gov, the official website for the State of Colorado. A second and third place cash prize of $750 and $250 will also be awarded. “This contest is an opportunity for people to really get creative and have fun,” said SIPA Executive Director, John Conley. “We are asking anyone who loves our State to grab a video camera, come up with an idea, and show us what Colorado means to them.”

The contest is open to anyone 18 years or older (minors can participate but must have parental consent and an adult sponsor). All entries will be available for viewing and public voting on www.colorado.gov/welovecolorado beginning June 22nd. A panel of judges will select first, second, and third place winners from 10 semifinalists and the top three videos will be unveiled on July 15^th.

The video contest is part of SIPA’s effort to introduce more citizens to Colorado.gov, which now features a brand-new design.

“This contest is the perfect complement to the new Colorado.gov,” said Colorado.gov General Manager, Fred Sargeson. “Coloradans are powerful ambassadors and we are delighted to team up with SIPA to shine a larger spotlight on the State.”

Entries must be in an AVI, DV, MOV, QT, MP4, MPG, 3GP, ASF or MMV format and cannot exceed 200 MB in size. They can be submitted digitally online at www.colorado.gov/welovecolorado. A full list of rules and guidelines is available www.colorado.gov/welovecolorado.

About SIPA

The Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) was created in 2004 by an act of the Colorado State Legislature to provide efficient and effective eGovernment services for eligible governmental entities and citizens through the use of modern business practices and innovative technology solutions. Eligible governmental entities include state and local governments, school districts and other eligible entities within the State of Colorado. SIPA serves as the oversight body of the Colorado.gov portal. Colorado.gov is the gateway to Colorado government and it is intended to be Colorado’s single most comprehensive delivery channel for e-Government services.

About Colorado.gov

Colorado.gov is the official website of the State of Colorado (http://www.colorado.gov) and is overseen by the Statewide Internet Portal Authority. Colorado.gov helps state and local government entities Web-enable their services and is operated without tax funds through a public-private partnership between the state and Colorado Interactive, LLC. Colorado Interactive builds, operates, maintains, and markets Colorado.gov and is part of eGovernment firm NIC’s (NASDAQ: EGOV) family of companies.

About NIC

NIC is the nation’s leading provider of official government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company’s innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. Our popular self-funded solution allows government to put in-demand services online without using taxpayer funds. The NIC family of companies currently provides eGovernment solutions to more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies across in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.