Congressman Salazar announces $5.3 million to improve seven rural Colorado airports

Funding for Montrose, Aspen, Craig, Yampa Valley, Trinidad, Cortez
and Hopkins Field airports

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Congressman John Salazar announced $5.3 million in funding to repair, expand and improve airports in Montrose, Aspen, Craig, Hayden, Trinidad, Cortez and Nucla. Descriptions of the individual projects are below. Congressman Salazar is a certified pilot himself and has flown in-and-out of many of the different airfields across Colorado’s Third Congressional district.

Congressman Salazar offered the following comment on the $5.3 million in airport funding:

“Airports, particularly airports like those across rural Colorado are truly lifelines to the world. They are our links to commerce, travel and our families and it’s my responsibility to make sure that federal funding is used to keep those lifelines strong. Access to air travel is a vital part of our region’s economic future. I hope the improvements to the Montrose, Aspen, Craig, Yampa Valley, Trinidad, Cortez and Nucla airports will make our airfields safer, more efficient and more accessible to folks living in and visiting Colorado.”


Project descriptions below:

Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field:

•    This grant will provide $1,200,000 in Federal funding to extend Runway 15/33 at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field, Aspen, Colorado. The runway extension is required to improve operational efficiency through improved aircraft stage lengths, reduced weight restrictions and reduced load factor penalties. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport/Sardy Field is a primary nonhub airport. Local point of contact is Mr. James P. Elwood, Director of Aviation. Mr. Elwood can be reached at (970) 429-2851.

Craig-Moffat:

•    This grant will provide $49,500 in Federal funding to rehabilitate Runway 7/25 and to install taxiway lighting at the Craig-Moffat County Airport, Craig, Colorado.  The Runway 7/25 rehabilitation is required to extend the useful life of the existing pavement. The installation of the connector taxiway edge lights/retroreflective markers will delineate the edge of the taxiway pavement and is required to provide guidance for aircraft operators at night and in low visibility conditions.  Craig-Moffat County Airport is a general aviation airport. The local point of contact at the county is Mr. Jerry Hoberg, Moffat County Planning Director. Mr. Hoberg can be reached at (970) 824-9148.

Yampa Valley:

•    This grant will provide $1,845,283 in Federal funding to modify the existing airport passenger terminal building at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, Hayden, Colorado. The passenger terminal building modification will provide additional baggage claim areas, an expanded passenger screening/security area, and more efficient terminal building circulation. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is a primary non-hub airport. The local point of contact at the county is Nancy J. Stahoviak, Chair, Routt County Board of County Commissioners. Ms. Stahoviak can be reached at (970) 879-0108.

Perry Stokes:

•    This grant will provide $148,500 in Federal funds to rehabilitate Runway 3/21 on Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, Colorado. This runway rehabilitation is required to extend the useful life of the pavement and thereby preserve the capacity of the airport. Perry Stokes Airport is a general aviation airport. The local point of contact at the County is Ms. Leslee Fresquez, Deputy County Administrator. Ms. Fresquez can be reached at (719) 846-4777.

Cortez Municipal:

•    This grant will provide $1,309,939 in Federal funding to improve the Runway 3/21 shoulders at the Cortez Municipal Airport, Cortez, Colorado. Paving the Runway 3/21 shoulders will provide resistance to jet-blast erosion, storm water runoff erosion and accommodate the passage of maintenance and emergency equipment. Cortez Municipal Airport is a commercial service airport. The local point of contact is Mr. Jay Harrington, City Manager, City of Cortez, Cortez, Colorado. Mr. Harrington can be reached at (970) 565-3402.   

Montrose Regional:

•    This grant will provide $710, 406 in Federal funding to expand the passenger terminal building at Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose, Colorado. The expansion of the passenger terminal building will provide additional space for passenger queuing areas, hold rooms, and central waiting rooms thereby alleviating congestion during peak travel periods. Montrose Regional Airport is a primary non-hub airport. The local point of contact at the airport is Mr. Lloyd Arnold, Airport Manager. Mr. Arnold can be reached at (970) 252-0287.

Hopkins Field:

•    This grant will provide $49,500 in Federal funding to rehabilitate Runway 5/23 at Hopkins Field, Nucla, Colorado. Rehabilitation of the runway will extend the useful life of the pavement and thereby preserve the capacity of the airport. Hopkins Field is a general aviation airport. The local point of contact at the airport is Mr. Lloyd Arnold, Airport Manager. Mr. Arnold can be reached at (970) 252-0287.