Committee forwards Jana Locke as DPA executive director after brief confirmation

David Oppenheim, chief of staff to Gov. Jared Polis, introduced Jana Locke as the governor's nominee for executive director of the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), describing her career in state government and experience overseeing large operations.

"It is my honor to appear before you today to introduce Janelle Locke as the governor's nominee for executive director of the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration," Oppenheim said, later listing work across state agencies and experience in budgeting, crisis management, and program development.

Jana Locke (transcript contains variants such as "Janelle" and "Janna") told the committee she has 20 years of public-sector experience and prioritized launching a new statewide payroll system, expanding skills-based hiring practices, and building pipelines into public service. "The phrase 'good enough for government work' is like nails on a classroom chalkboard to me," Locke said, emphasizing a drive for operational excellence.

Committee members asked no substantive questions. A motion was made to forward Locke's nomination to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and the committee recorded assent. The committee thanked Oppenheim and Locke for appearing.

The committee's favorable recommendation advances Locke's nomination to the full Senate, where a confirmation vote is required.