Shailen Bhatt named director of Colorado Department of Transportation

Shailen Bhatt will serve as the next executive director for the Colorado Department of Transportation beginning in mid-February, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office said Monday.

Bhatt is the former cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation, where he directed a nearly $1 billion budget and oversaw 2,800 employees, Hickenlooper’s office said. Bhatt delivered $2 billion in infrastructure investments and managed disaster recovery of two hurricanes.

He functioned as an associate administrator at the Federal Highway Administration before serving at the Delaware transportation department. Bhatt also once worked as deputy executive director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Bhatt will replace outgoing Colorado transportation director…