Governor’s Office Media Release

Gov. Ritter announces $5.7 million for local airport projects

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that he has approved distribution of 50 grants worth $5.7 million to Colorado airports and one aviation association under the Aviation Discretionary Grant program administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics.

The grants, ranging in size from $4,000 to $250,000 and funded by state aviation fuel tax revenues, will leverage local and/or federal dollars, bringing the total value to $95.67 million for various airport projects ranging from runway lighting improvements to runway maintenance and construction. The Colorado Airport Operators Association also received grant funding for a training program. A complete listing of all grants, including the governmental unit, authority, or association receiving the funds, funding totals, and details of the approved projects, is attached.

“This is an excellent program,” Gov. Ritter said. “The state funds come from state aviation fuel taxes, which are then combined with local and federal funding on projects that might otherwise not be possible. These airports are important to our economic development strategies, our quality of life, our recreational access, and our overall mobility. Because the projects will also help boost local economies, this is a win-win situation.”

The statutorily-based program, which began in 1992, receives grant proposals from any Colorado public-use airport. These proposals are evaluated by CDOT Aeronautics staff and approved by the Colorado Aeronautical Board, which is comprised of aviation community representatives appointed by the Governor and approved by the Colorado Senate. The Governor then reviews the Aeronautical Board decisions and has 30 days in which to comment.

Harold Patton of Greenwood Village, chair of the Colorado Aeronautical Board, said the discretionary grant program has been a success story. “Over the years, the state has been able to be a true partner to our public use airports by distributing more than $51 million through these grants,” he said. “This year, 47 airports statewide will be undertaking projects to improve safety and convenience for airlines, pilots, airport operators, and the public. This grant program is a true Colorado success story.”

Colorado communities/airports receiving the grants are listed below:
San Luis Valley Regional Airport, Alamosa County
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
Boulder Municipal Airport
Central Colorado Regional Airport, Chaffee County
Kit Carson County Airport, Burlington
Fremont County Airport
Colorado Airport Operator’s Association
Centennial Airport
Leach Airport, Saguache County
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport
Cortez-Montezuma County Airport
Craig-Moffat County Airport
Astronaut Rominger Airport, Rio Grande County
Blake Field, Delta County
Durango/La Plata County Airport
Eads Airport
Erie Municipal Airport
Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport
Fort Morgan Municipal Airport
Front Range Airport, Watkins
Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport
Grand Junction Regional Airport
Greeley-Weld County Airport
Yampa Valley Regional Airport, Routt County
Holyoke Municipal Airport
McElroy Field, Grand County
La Junta Municipal Airport
Lamar Municipal Airport
Las Animas City & County Airport
Lake County Airport
Limon Municipal Airport
Meadow Lake Airport/Monument Hill Area
Meeker Airport
Monte Vista Municipal Airport
Montrose Regional Airport
Hopkins Field, Montrose County
North Fork Valley Airport, Delta County
Pueblo Memorial Airport
Rangely Airport
Garfield County Regional Airport
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Jefferson County
Harriet Alexander Airport, Chaffee County
Bob Adams Field, Steamboat Springs
Sterling Municipal Airport
Telluride Regional Airport
Perry Stokes Airport, Las Animas County
Walden-Jackson County Airport
Spanish Peaks Airfield, Huerfano County
Wray Municipal Airport
Yuma Municipal Airport