The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics received a special recognition award from the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame at a Colorado Aviation Historical Society ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
Each year, the Colorado Aviation Historical Society honors individuals and organizations whose vision, service, innovation, and dedication have left a lasting impact on aviation across the state. The CDOT Division of Aeronautics is one of only a select few organizations to receive this prestigious honor.
Representing the Division at the ceremony were current staff members Shahn Sederberg, Hetty Beatty, and Kip McClain, alongside current Division Director David Ulane and former Directors Dave Gordon, Travis Vallin, and Dennis Roberts. Together, their collective leadership and service represent decades of commitment to elevating Colorado’s multi-billion-dollar aviation system.
“Receiving this award from the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame is an extraordinary honor, and it is a testament to the dedication of our current and former staff, board members, and airport partners across Colorado,” said David Ulane, Director of the CDOT Division of Aeronautics. “This recognition reflects decades of hard work, visionary planning, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing safety, efficiency, and opportunity in Colorado aviation.”
Since its creation in 1991, the Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB) and Division of Aeronautics have spearheaded pioneering programs that have fundamentally transformed aviation safety, operational efficiency, and workforce development throughout the Rocky Mountain region, including:
- Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant Program: The cornerstone of the Division’s mission, this state grant program has administered critical funding for airport infrastructure projects statewide for over 35 years. Powered by an innovative and unique state aviation fuel tax structure, the program has directly supported local airports while leveraging billions of dollars in matching Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant funds.
- Wide Area Multilateration (WAM): A groundbreaking technology implementation that vastly improved radar coverage and air traffic operations in Colorado’s challenging high country and mountain airport environments.
- Colorado Mountain AWOS & Weather Camera Program: A vital network of Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) installed on high mountain peaks and mountain airports. Enhanced with FAA weather camera integration, this program provides real-time weather data and visual weather information crucial for mountain flying safety.
- Colorado Surplus Airport Equipment Program: Operated in partnership with Denver International Airport and other Colorado airports, this initiative repurposes essential airport equipment—such as runway snowplows, sweepers, and tractors—and transfers them to smaller regional airports, saving local communities millions of dollars while maintaining year-round operational readiness.
- Colorado Airport Management Internship Program: A dedicated workforce development initiative providing grant funding to sponsor student internships, launching hundreds of successful careers in airport management across Colorado and the nation.
These pioneering achievements represent only a fraction of the Division’s contributions over the past three decades. Through strategic funding, technological leadership, and collaborative partnerships, the CDOT Division of Aeronautics continues to ensure Colorado remains a leader in aviation safety, infrastructure, and economic growth.
