The Colorado Aeronautical Board approved on Apr. 22 more than $7.3 million in state and local grants to improve airport infrastructure, enhance safety, and support the transition to cleaner aviation fuels across the state.
These grants are part of ongoing efforts to achieve goals outlined in the 2020 Colorado Aviation System Plan, which focuses on maintaining a viable, safe, and economically sustainable aviation system. The funding aims to address both immediate infrastructure needs and longer-term environmental objectives for airports throughout Colorado.
Three new grant applications totaling $1,089,000 were approved using only state and local resources. Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport will receive $450,000 for pavement maintenance on its primary taxiway. Two other airports have been awarded a combined $639,000 to help them transition to unleaded aviation fuel as part of statewide efforts to reduce lead emissions. In total this year, $973,800 has been dedicated by the Division of Aeronautics toward reducing lead impacts on communities under Colorado House Bill 24-1235.
This latest round brings total State and Local program commitments for 2026 above $10.2 million in state funds; when matched locally these investments will support nearly $13.8 million worth of projects statewide. Separately, the board also approved federal match grant applications totaling over $6.2 million that help airports access additional federal funds from programs such as the Airport Improvement Program and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Examples include Burlington/Kit Carson County airport receiving over half a million dollars for road improvements and pavement maintenance; Eagle County Regional Airport was awarded more than nine hundred thousand dollars for a new aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle.
According to David Ulane, Division Director: “These investments help ensure that Colorado’s airport system is safe, efficient and able to sustain the $68.9 billion annual economic impact this system enables.” A full list of awards can be found through official channels.
The cumulative effect is significant: with contributions from all levels of government totaling nearly $201 million this year alone for airport improvements statewide.
According to the official website, the Colorado Department of Transportation works to improve quality of life through integrated transportation solutions while delivering an effective multi-modal transportation system that safely moves people and goods throughout Colorado. The department is led by executive director Shoshana Lewand oversees transportation infrastructure across the entire state. It builds highways as well as administers grants supporting aviation initiatives like those just announced, focusing broadly on highway maintenance along with transit operations.
