CDOT Aeronautics Division Awards Discretionary Grants

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.