State Spotlight: How ClearPoint Strategy Powers Performance Management in Colorado

Colorado isn’t just famous for its snow-capped peaks and scenic trails—it’s also home to some of the most forward-thinking local governments in the nation. Counties and cities across the state are blazing trails in performance management, leveraging ClearPoint Strategy to turn big-picture visions into measurable results. From Arapahoe County’s Service-First approach to Fort Collins’ sustainability-driven planning and Adams County’s data-powered transformation, Colorado’s local governments are proving that strategy and transparency can go hand-in-hand.

These communities aren’t just managing data—they’re redefining what it means to govern with purpose. Here’s how ClearPoint Strategy is helping them deliver real impact:

Arapahoe County: Colorado’s First County, First in Service

As Colorado’s first county, Arapahoe County embraces a proud legacy of leadership and service. Since 2014, the County has used ClearPoint Strategy to power its Align Arapahoe program, which prioritizes three core goals: Service First, Fiscal Responsibility, and Quality of Life. ClearPoint serves as a central hub for tracking performance data, ensuring that the County’s day-to-day operations align with these overarching objectives.

A Culture of Accountability

Each department within Arapahoe County reviews performance data on a monthly or quarterly basis. These meetings foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying operational trends and addressing areas for enhancement. Department-level performance measures feed into a countywide scorecard, which aligns with the County’s strategic goals and informs reports shared with the Board.

Transparent Reporting for Citizens

To deepen public trust and engagement, Arapahoe County partnered with ClearPoint to create the Align Arapahoe Community Dashboard. This responsive, citizen-facing tool integrates with ClearPoint’s API to display real-time data on County goals and performance measures. Residents can now access clear, actionable insights into how their government is delivering on its promise of excellence.

Fort Collins: Strategy MAPs—Metrics, Analysis, and Performance

The City of Fort Collins is celebrated not only for its scenic beauty but also for its organizational excellence and data-driven decision-making. Fort Collins understands that the best performance reviews go beyond metrics—they fuel meaningful conversations about performance, accountability, and improvement.

A Smarter Approach to Performance Reviews

When Fort Collins first began tracking performance, it organized its metrics into a pyramid structure to distinguish priorities. At the top of the pyramid were 38 key metrics that demonstrated progress toward the City’s 7 strategic Outcomes, such as Safe Community and Economic Health. The second layer focused on a larger group of budget-related metrics used to justify funding and show how council-approved budgets supported performance goals. At the base of the pyramid were operational metrics—data points tied to daily management rather than strategy.

However, early meetings struggled with information overload—too many metrics, too little time, and too few actionable insights.

To streamline the process, Fort Collins shifted to Quarterly Service Area Reviews (QSARs). These focused, department-specific meetings used ClearPoint to provide pre-read reports, charts, and evaluations. Despite these improvements, the City realized they needed even more context and alignment between metrics, budgets, and strategic goals.

Enter Strategy MAPs

To sharpen its focus, Fort Collins introduced Strategy MAPs—a process that integrates Metrics, Analysis, and Performance into its reviews.

• Meetings shifted from discussing individual metrics to evaluating progress toward strategic Outcomes.
• ClearPoint reports provided insights into 3–4 key metrics linked to each objective and detailed data on programs and services funded to achieve them.
• Reviews celebrated wins, analyzed underperformance, and outlined action plans to stay on track.

A Commitment to Transparency and Excellence

Fort Collins’ dedication to continuous improvement doesn’t stop at internal reviews. The City leverages its public dashboard, powered by ClearPoint, to share progress with residents and maintain transparency. The dashboard allows the public to track performance on key goals and outcomes, providing insights into how initiatives are progressing and demonstrating accountability to taxpayers.

This commitment to performance management and transparency has earned Fort Collins national recognition, including the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation’s highest honor for organizational performance excellence. By combining internal accountability with public-facing transparency, Fort Collins has built a system that not only drives results but also builds trust and engagement with the community.

Learn more about what Baldrige Excellence Award Winning cities, like Fort Collins, have in common.

Adams County: Turning Data into Action

One of the fastest-growing regions in Colorado, Adams County, is proving that performance management can be both impactful and approachable. Their city partnered with ClearPoint, furthering their commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability through data-driven decision-making.

A Focus on Transparency

Adams County set out with the goal of building and launching a Community Dashboard—accessible here—which has enabled the County to set a new standard for transparency and data-driven governance.

The dashboard features clear, colorful visuals that make it easy for residents to track the County’s performance in key areas, including Community Enrichment, Infrastructure, and Education and Economic Vitality. It’s designed to be more than a data portal—it’s a tool for engagement, transparency, and trust-building.

A Collaborative Approach to Success

With support from ClearPoint’s team, Adams County partnered with its Information Services and Technology (IST) department and communications team to create a dashboard that is as visually compelling as it is functional. The focus on 2023 data and the use of modern templates ensure the platform meets the County’s immediate needs while offering flexibility for future growth.

Incremental Wins Keep Momentum Going

Adams County didn’t stop at launch. Continuous refinements to measures and reporting structures are helping the County sustain and build on its early success. By setting up department-level scorecards and aligning reporting cadences, the County ensures that performance management remains an ongoing, dynamic process.

The ClearPoint Advantage for Colorado Governments

Arapahoe County, Fort Collins, and Adams County demonstrate how ClearPoint Strategy empowers Colorado governments to deliver measurable results and maintain transparency. With features like centralized data management, customizable scorecards, and public-facing dashboards, ClearPoint helps these organizations stay accountable to their communities.

Whether it’s aligning departmental goals with a countywide vision or tracking sustainability metrics for a thriving city, ClearPoint Strategy provides the tools Colorado governments need to make data-driven decisions and achieve their strategic objectives.

Ready to Transform Your Organization?

Inspired by the success of these Colorado municipalities? Contact us today to learn more or request a demo. Let’s build a better future—together.

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