Women in Leadership Program

Jana Locke

Active Term: 08/2024 - 08/2025

Areas of Expertise

• Inspiring Emotional Intelligence
  
• Winning Work-Life Balance & Mentoring
  
• Improving Communication Habits
  
• Advocacy, Actions & Accountability
  
• Driving Ideas, Intellectual Growth & Transformation
  
• Transformational Vs. Transactional Leadership
  
• Organizational Leadership & Cultural Diversity
  

Deputy Executive Director

Colorado Department of Public Safety

Jana Locke was appointed as Deputy Executive Director of CDPS in January of 2019. Jana has served CDPS since 2010 in multiple roles, including Legislative Liaison, Chief Planning and Communications Officer, and Interim Deputy Executive Director.  Prior to joining CDPS, Jana worked as a Senior Management and Budget Analyst in the Governor Ritter’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) from 2007 to 2010. As Deputy Executive Director, Jana works closely with Executive Director Hilkey and CDPS Leadership to develop and implement department-wide strategic initiatives, co-manage the department’s $563 million budget, participate in Governor’s Office Cabinet Working Groups, and oversee achievement of the agency’s Wildly Important Goals (WIGs).

She also focuses on day-to-day operations, providing innovative solutions and guidance to a diverse workforce of nearly 2,000 employees navigating unprecedented challenges. Most recently, Jana has been providing mentorship and support for the department’s successful and growing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts. Before joining the state of Colorado Executive Branch, Jana was awarded two fellowships in Washington D.C.: As a Presidential Management Fellow, Jana worked in the Department of Justice’s Central Budget Office, where she analyzed $7 billion in spending and programs and made funding recommendations to DOJ leadership. 

As a Graduate Policy Fellow for Women In Government, Jana researched best practices and emerging trends in women’s health legislation. Jana started her career as a political journalist for the Colorado Statesman newspaper. Jana has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a M.S. in Justice, Law and Society from American University, in Washington D.C. In 2023, she published her first picture book, Vote For Turtle, which teaches kids about the importance of civic engagement. Jana lives in Denver with her husband and children.

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