Colorado Aeronautical Board Approves $442,422 in Aviation Education and Workforce Development Grants

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics is pleased to announce that the Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB) has officially approved $442,422 in grant funding to support 15 organizations through the FY2026 Aviation Education and Workforce Development Grant Program.

Students pilot small drones during a hands-on training session at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, where participants learn the fundamentals of drone flight, control, and aviation technology. The museum received a $61,410 Aviation Education and Workforce Development Grant to expand its drone education program, matched by $39,800 in museum funding. Photo courtesy of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

These grants are designed to support organizations that focus on aviation education and help develop the essential talent pipeline required to support future aviation system needs within the State of Colorado. This year’s funding aligns with the goals set by the Division’s Strategic Plan, which emphasizes enhancing statewide initiatives that provide value to Colorado’s airports and aviation stakeholders.

The program saw significant interest this year, with 21 applicants requesting a total of $939,795.58. To remain within the approved budget, Division staff worked closely with applicants to refine project scopes and focus on key initiatives.

The final approved awards support a diverse range of aviation education and workforce development programs, from high school ground schools and drone soccer programs to advanced flight simulators and aircraft maintenance technician training.

While the Colorado Division of Aeronautics is providing $442,422 in funding, the total impact of these projects is matched by local contributions, bringing the total investment in Colorado’s aviation future to $564,561 for the 2026 grant cycle.

A comprehensive listing of all Aviation Education and Workforce Development Grants can be found here.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.