CDOT Aeronautics Division Awards Discretionary Grants

March 13, 2014 - Aeronautics - DENVER, Colorado (March 13, 2014) – Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has authorized distribution of $19.7 million in state aviation fuel tax revenues through grants to 47 Colorado public use airports under the Aviation Discretionary Grant Program administered by the Division of Aeronautics of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

The grants ranged in size from $8,333 to $3 million.  They represent State of Colorado participation in a wide variety of projects, totaling $68.3 million, to improve safety and infrastructure at airports all across the state.  Airport projects include matching funds - local, federal, or both - in order to receive Colorado discretionary aviation grants.

“I am pleased to approve these grants and to see that we are continuing statewide efforts to upgrade our airports,” the Governor said.  “The economic multipliers provided by our airports through the moving of people, goods, and services are tremendous.  CDOT’s vision is to help develop and maintain an efficient transportation system, and this grant program certainly helps put that vision into practice.  This is an excellent partnership.”  A 2013 Economic Impact Study of Colorado Airports showed that the airports support 265,700 jobs statewide and create a total economic output of $37.6 billion annually.

“Over the past 22 years, hundreds of outstanding infrastructure and safety projects have been completed at airports all around Colorado in large part because of funds awarded through this grant program,” noted Colorado Aeronautical Board Chairman Joe Thibodeau of Denver.   “We are always looking for ways to be a greater partner and to have a more significant positive impact upon our public use airports across Colorado.  Since its inception, in concert with federal and local matching funds, this program has directly infused approximately one billion dollars into Colorado airports and aviation infrastructure.”

The statutorily-based grant program which began in 1992 requires that all aviation fuel tax collections in Colorado must be returned to the aviation system through airport grants and other aviation projects of state interest. Proposals received from Colorado public use airports are evaluated by CDOT Division of Aeronautics staff and approved by the Colorado Aeronautical Board.  The Governor then reviews the grant applications and issues the final go-ahead.

A listing of Colorado airports receiving grants this year is printed below. Click here for a data base listing airports receiving grants and funding/project details for each.

Akron, CO Plains Regional Airport

Alamosa, San Luis Valley Reg. Airport

Aspen, Pitkin County Airport

Boulder Municipal Airport

Broomfield, Rocky Mt. Metro Airport

Brush Municipal Airport

Buena Vista, Central CO Reg. Airport

Burlington, Kit Carson County Airport

Center, Leach Field Airport

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport

Cortez, Montezuma County Airport

Craig Moffat County Airport

Creede Mineral County Airport

Del Norte, Kent Rominger Airport

Delta, Blake Field

Denver International Airport

Durango, Animas Airpark

Durango La Plata County Airport

Eagle County Regional Airport

Englewood, Centennial Airport

Erie Municipal Airport

Fort Morgan Municipal Airport

Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport

Granby-Grand County Airport

Grand Junction Regional Airport

Greeley-Weld County Airport

Gunnison-Crested Butte Reg. Airport

Hayden Yampa Valley Regional Airport

Holyoke Municipal Airport

Lamar Municipal Airport

Las Animas City/County Airport

Leadville, Lake County Airport

Loveland, Ft. Collins-Loveland Airport

Monte Vista Municipal Airport

Montrose Regional Airport

Nucla, Hopkins Field

Pagosa Springs, Stevens Field

Paonia, North Fork Valley Airport

Peyton, Meadow Lake Airport

Pueblo Memorial Airport

Rangely Airport

Rifle, Garfield County Airport

Salida, Harriet Alexander Airport

Springfield Municipal Airport

Steamboat Springs Municipal Airport

Sterling Municipal Airport

Telluride Regional Airport