Colorado Aeronautical Board Approves $13.8 Million in State Airport Funding

Watkins  — The Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics is proud to announce the allocation of $13.8 million in funding through the 2025 Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant (CDAG) Program. These awards will support critical infrastructure improvements, enhance safety, and promote environmental sustainability at airports across the state.

This year's grants comprised $13,821,016 in state funding and $4,273,323 in local contributions, totaling $18,094,339 in airport funding. The funded projects span a diverse range of initiatives, from airfield pavement maintenance to advanced fuel system installations, reflecting Colorado's commitment to modernizing its aviation facilities.

A comprehensive listing of each individual airport grant award can be found here.

Key Projects Include:

• Walden-Jackson County Airport: $4,152,000 for runway reconstruction
• Yampa Valley Regional Airport: $1,000,000 allocated for Taxiway B improvements
• Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport: $1,000,000 for airfield pavement maintenance
• Meeker Airport: $450,000 for fuel farm installation
• Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport: $300,000 to support an unleaded aviation fuel subsidy program

In alignment with Colorado's environmental goals, $742,700 has been specifically awarded to projects that support the transition away from leaded aviation fuels, following the enactment of HB24-1235 on May 17, 2024.

“Former Governor Roy Romer and State Senator Lewis Entz worked to create the Division of Aeronautics to protect and promote airports large and small throughout Colorado. These grant awards are a credit to their vision and the vital importance of aviation to every community in Colorado,” said Colorado Aeronautical Board Chair Kent Holsinger.

“I am thrilled to see this transformative infrastructure funding which will go towards 31 improvement projects at 27 public-use airports across the state, including the Board’s award of three grants that will facilitate and incentivize the general aviation industry’s continued transition to unleaded aviation fuels, as provided for in HB24-1235. These state investments in local airports will support local economies, improve travel efficiency, and enable even more people around the state and country to experience amazing parts of Colorado,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

CDOT remains committed to advancing aviation infrastructure that meets the dynamic needs of Colorado's communities and fosters economic development across the state.

The Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB) is scheduled to meet on April 16, 2025 for the 2025 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Matching and Overmatch Grant Hearings. This second round of discretionary aviation grants will be allocated to support a number of federally-funded airport projects.

Colorado legislation was created in 1991 to develop and maintain the Colorado Aviation System through taxes collected on aviation fuel sold within the state. There are no general funds used to meet the needs within the Colorado Aviation System. The Colorado Aviation System is funded solely through the taxes collected by those actually using the aviation system.

The Colorado Airport System consists of 76 public-use airports that support over 345,661 jobs, provide $16.2 billion in annual payroll, $27.0 billion in value-added, and $48.6 billion in total annual business revenue for the State of Colorado.

More information can be found at Colorado-Aeronautics.org.

About the Division of Aeronautics

Under the Direction of the Colorado Aeronautical Board, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics supports Colorado's multi-modal transportation system by advancing a safe, efficient and effective statewide aviation system through collaboration, investment and advocacy. In partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, 76 public-use airports and a diverse group of aviation system users, the Division also works to promote aviation safety and education through the efficient administration of the Colorado Aviation Fund. For more information, visit Colorado-Aeronautics.org or check us out on YouTube, like us on Facebook and follow us on X and Instagram.