Colorado airports receive nearly $100 million in federal infrastructure funding

A view of the United taxiway at Denver International Airport. (Courtesy of Denver International Airport)

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded nearly $100 million to fund infrastructure improvement projects at eight Colorado airports.

Announced Thursday by U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, the funding was made available through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Airport Improvement Program, and supplemental grant funding.

“Colorado’s regional and municipal airports help connect communities across our state and support local economic development,” Bennet said in a statement. “These dollars will help them invest in safety and capacity upgrades to meet Colorado’s changing needs.”

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The Grand Junction Regional Airport will receive just under $34.8 million to slightly shift a paved runway to bring it into compliance with current standards.

The Colorado Springs Municipal Airport will receive $14.4 million to reconstruct 3,700 feet of taxiway pavement that has reached the end of its usual life.

The Durango-La Plata County Airport will receive just under $13 million to expand its existing terminal by nearly 20,000 square feet. The project will include new gates, passenger hold rooms, TSA passenger screening and baggage claim areas.

The Yampa Valley Airport in Hayden will receive about $11 million to restore 10,000 feet of an existing taxiway to maintain the pavement’s structural integrity, and to reconstruct the existing lighting on the taxiway.

Denver International Airport will receive about $6.2 million to fund drainage improvements and wildlife hazard mitigation on a runway to prevent accumulation of precipitation on the airfield. The airport will also receive just under $3.8 million to install low-emission equipment, including 15 electric vehicle charging stations.

“This is part of DEN’s larger effort to promote strategic electrification across the campus – supporting our business partners in transitioning airport activities from fossil fuel-based energy to clean electricity, which both reduces emissions today and in the future as the electric grid decarbonizes,” an airport spokesperson said in a statement.

The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield will receive $5.5 million to construct a new taxiway and to reconstruct parts of an existing taxiway pavement. The airport will also receive $1.4 million to conduct a noise compatibility plan study.

The Centennial Airport in Englewood will receive $4.9 million to reconstruct parts of two existing taxiway pavements. The airport will also receive $92,465 to install zero emissions equipment, including a vehicle and a recharger.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport will receive just over $2.5 million to reconstruct parts of an existing paved taxiway pavement.

“Colorado’s airports connect rural communities and power local economies,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is still delivering improvements to make air travel safe and accessible for all Coloradans.”

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