Colorado Information and Analysis Center (CIAC) was recognized today as the 2010 Fusion Center of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 FEB 2010
Contact: Lance Clem, 303-239-4415

In a national meeting today in New Orleans of intelligence fusion centers, the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) was awarded the prestigious 2010 Fusion Center of the Year Award by the Fusion Center Management Group which is affiliated with the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., announced.

DHS cited CIAC’s work on the successful Zazi terrorism investigation and for CIAC’s work before and during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Fusion centers analyze information on suspicious events from citizens and police officers as well as from national and international intelligence sources to determine which official agencies need to be notified for action. The 2010 award to CIAC involved competition among 71 fusion centers in the U.S.

“This coveted award underscores CIAC’s contributions not only to the Zazi investigation and to the DNC but also to regional public safety,” said Colorado State Patrol Major Brenda Leffler who supervises the CIAC for the CDPS Office of Homeland Security.

“Congratulations to the CIAC and all those whose hard and invaluable work is honored by this award,” Gov. Ritter said. “On behalf of the people of Colorado, thank you for your efforts to keep the public safe.”

Establishment of effective regional fusion centers grew from recommendations from the federal 9/11 commission. Colorado’s fusion center opened six years ago and has grown into a regional center serving the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico at the request of the other states. Intelligence analysts from numerous state and federal agencies work in CIAC.

The federal award noted, “The CIAC was recognized for exemplifying every aspect of a robust and mature fusion center. CIAC leadership has been a strong advocate organizing and supporting the national build out of the fusion center network. They were particularly recognized for their recent support to the Zazi case as well as their leadership during the 2008 National Democratic Convention.”

Suspicious activities can be reported by citizens to CIAC 24 hours a day at https://www.ciac.co.gov/

###
Submitted by:
Ryan Sullivan