The Colorado Aerotropolis just got a major boost with the arrival of Southwest Airlines University (SWAU), a cutting-edge training facility designed to shape the future of aviation professionals. Southwest Airlines officially marked its presence in the area last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its brand-new, 23,000-square-foot learning center, located in Aurora in the JAG Logistics Center @ DEN, adjacent to Denver International Airport. And the best part? There’s already room to grow, with an option to expand by 12,000 additional square feet.
The Colorado Aerotropolis is the product of collaboration between Adams County; the cities of Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, and Thornton; the City and County of Denver; and Denver International Airport (DEN). The Colorado Aerotropolis brings together visionaries and industry leaders to leverage the economic opportunities of the region and North America’s third-busiest airport.
“The Colorado Aerotropolis was born from the philosophy that when partners come together to collaborate, we are greater than the sum of our parts. When we work together, we can accomplish great things for the future of our region,” said Commissioner Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners and Airport Coordinating Committee. “Celebrating Southwest Airlines’ training facility in Adams County is a commitment to regional collaboration to drive and sustain economic growth in the region.”
“Equipping our employees to do their jobs safely while delivering world-class hospitality is our number one priority,” said Bobby Loeb, Vice President, Southwest Airlines University at Southwest Airlines. “We appreciate this partnership and our new training center, which allows us to invest in our people by offering the latest tools, enhanced training environments, and functional spaces to maintain a focus on safety as we continue growing and serving the Denver community.”
Most employees supporting the airline’s Denver operation will utilize the new facility as part of a training curriculum. The airline’s pilots will continue to train at its Corporate Campus in Dallas.
JAG Logistics Center @ DEN is the closest privately owned industrial development to Denver International Airport. The 260 acres of industrial zoned land is a confirmed Opportunity Zone and Enterprise Zone, and while the area is still under development, it is quickly becoming a commercial epicenter. JAG has partnered with DEN as well as the City of Aurora to ensure the development in this area only strengthens the community and businesses around it and will certainly bring more and more amenities to the area for their tenants and neighbors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines University to JAG @ DEN,” said Dan Green, CEO/Co-Managing Partner of JAGreen Development LLC. “Our goal since we broke ground in 2019 was to create a unique industrial development that serves customers requiring immediate access to DEN, the largest economic engine in Colorado. Our results have exceeded our wildest expectations and bringing Southwest Airlines to the Colorado Aerotropolis will strengthen the community and bring more jobs to the region. JAG was also selected as the general contractor to provide the “turnkey” delivery of this state-of-the-art learning center. Due in no small part to the tremendous efforts of the Southwest Airlines team, SWAU was delivered on time and on budget. The Southwest team was a pleasure to work with and we look forward to our continued partnership.”
