Each year the Colorado Division of Aeronautics recognizes a Colorado airport and aviation professional who has made outstanding contributions to the Colorado Aviation System. Additionally, the Aeronautics Division Director presents the 2023 Director’s Award. This year’s awards presentation took place at the 2023 Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) Spring Conference held in Colorado Springs, CO June 21-23.
This year’s Colorado Airport of the Year was awarded to Denver International Airport (DEN), one of the busiest airports in the world with over 69 million passengers traveling through the airport in 2022. “We are honored to be recognized as the 2023 Colorado Airport of the Year,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of more than 37,000 airport employees and our partners.”
“For decades, DEN has been a stalwart supporter of our Division of Aeronautics and Colorado’s entire statewide aviation system. Their collaboration with us on a number of impactful statewide initiatives has made all of our airports safer, more efficient, and more accessible, and we are proud to recognize them as our 2023 Airport of the Year”, said David Ulane
The Colorado Airport of the Year Award is presented annually by the Colorado Division of Aeronautics to recognize Colorado public-use airports that exhibit outstanding contributions to the Colorado Aviation System. Airports distinguished with this recognition demonstrate values that fall in line with the CDOT Division of Aeronautics’ mission to advance a safe, efficient, and effective statewide aviation system through collaboration, investment, and advocacy.
According to the 2020 Economic Impact Study of Colorado Airports, DEN is responsible for supporting 259,084 jobs, producing over $11.1 billion in annual payroll, while generating $33.5 billion in overall business revenue.
The Division presented the Colorado Aviation Professional of the Year Award to Grand County Airports Manager Josh Schroeder. Josh is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of Grand County’s two airports: Grand County Airport/Emily Howell Warner Field (GNB) and Kremmling-McElroy Field (20V). This award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Colorado Aviation System. Individuals distinguished with this award demonstrate values that fall in line with the CDOT Division of Aeronautics’ mission to advance a safe, efficient, and effective statewide aviation system through collaboration, investment, and advocacy.
“I certainly did not earn this award by myself”, said Grand County Airports Manager Josh Schroeder. “In order to keep an airport running smoothly, it takes a great deal of collaboration between airport staff, County administration, airport stakeholders, volunteers, consultants, FAA and Division of Aeronautics. I am deeply honored to receive this award and so very grateful to the countless people who have supported me in my role as airport manager.”
Josh began his aviation career in 2005 as a technician with Adam Aircraft. Josh went on to study Aviation Management at the Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Aviation & Aerospace Science. In 2017, Josh became an Airport Maintenance Technician for Grand County, Colorado. In 2019, Josh was promoted to the County’s Airports Manager for GNB and 20V.
