Shailen P. Bhatt
Executive Director | CODOT
Sessions
Shailen P. Bhatt serves as the Executive Director for the Colorado Department ofTransportation (CDOT), where he is charged with leading the Department in addressing Colorado’s transportation needs. Shailen oversees 3,300 employees statewide and an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion to guide CDOT in providing the best multi-modal transportation system for Colorado.
Prior to this appointment, he served as the Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation where he directed nearly a billion dollar budget and 2,800 employees. During his tenure he led the agency response through two hurricanes, introduced performance management to the agency, and reduced agency debt by 30% while delivering $2 billion in infrastructure.
Bhatt also served as an Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In this role, he was charged with setting policy and managing relationships with members of Congress and leading the FHWA’s efforts in reauthorizing the nation’s surface transportation legislation.
Before joining FHWA, Bhatt served as a Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) where he was responsible for advancing transportation projects and addressing regional transportation needs. During his time at KYTC, he helped oversee a record construction letting period for the state.
Bhatt also plays a leadership role in national transportation for the United States. Bhatt currently serves on the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Board of Directors and chairs the AASHTO Subcommittee on Transportation Systems Management and Operation (STSMO). He also chairs the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE).
Bhatt served as the Chair of the Executive Committee of the I-95 Corridor Coalition, Diamond State Port Corporation, Board of Directors, and was a former Commissioner for the Northeast Corridor Commission.
Bhatt graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Western Kentucky University.