The Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics has announced the allocation of $13.8 million in funding through the 2025 Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant (CDAG) Program. These awards will support critical infrastructure improvements, enhance safety, and promote environmental sustainability at airports across the state.
This year’s grants comprised $13,821,016 in state funding and $4,273,323 in local contributions, totaling $18,094,339 in airport funding. The funded projects span a diverse range of initiatives, from airfield pavement maintenance to advanced fuel system installations, reflecting Colorado’s commitment to modernizing its aviation facilities.
A comprehensive listing of each airport grant award can be found here.
Key Projects Include:
- Walden-Jackson County Airport: $4,152,000 for runway reconstruction.
- Yampa Valley Regional Airport: $1,000,000 allocated for Taxiway B improvements.
- Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport: $1,000,000 for airfield pavement maintenance.
- Meeker Airport: $450,000 for fuel farm installation.
- Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport: $300,000 to support an unleaded aviation fuel subsidy program.
In alignment with Colorado’s environmental goals, $742,700 has been specifically awarded to projects that support the transition away from leaded aviation fuels, following the enactment of HB24-1235 on May 17, 2024.
“Former Governor Roy Romer and State Senator Lewis Entz worked to create the Division of Aeronautics to protect and promote airports large and small throughout Colorado. These grant awards are a credit to their vision and the vital importance of aviation to every community in Colorado,” said Colorado Aeronautical Board Chair Kent Holsinger.
“I am thrilled to see this transformative infrastructure funding which will go towards 31 improvement projects at 27 public-use airports across the state, including the Board’s award of three grants that will facilitate and incentivize the general aviation industry’s continued transition to unleaded aviation fuels, as provided for in HB24-1235. These state investments in local airports will support local economies, improve travel efficiency, and enable even more people around the state and country to experience amazing parts of Colorado,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
CDOT remains committed to advancing aviation infrastructure that meets the dynamic needs of Colorado’s communities and fosters economic development across the state.
The Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB) is scheduled to meet on April 16, 2025, for the 2025 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Matching and Overmatch Grant Hearings. This second round of discretionary aviation grants will be allocated to support several federally-funded airport projects.
