The 2024 Colorado Surplus Airport Equipment Sale, held on August 29th, was another great success. Fifteen Colorado public-use airport managers and sponsors scored significant bargains on high-quality, used airport-specific equipment. This event is organized through a longstanding partnership with Denver International Airport (DEN).
A total of 21 well-maintained pieces of airport equipment were sold to 15 airports, totaling $817,500. Through funding allocated by the Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB), the Division of Aeronautics contributed $582,000 in aviation grants towards this total, significantly reducing purchase costs for local Colorado airport sponsors. It is estimated that buying all this equipment new would have cost over $10 million. This year, equipment was made available for sale by two Colorado airports. Denver International Airport (DEN) sold 19 pieces and Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) sold two.
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) acquired three multi-function snow removal units that will increase efficiency during the winter snow season in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. “The multifunction units will allow us to use less equipment during snow removal operations which could lead to a decrease in fuel, wear and tear on our older equipment and help when we have staffing issues”, said EGE Maintenance Manager Wallace Oliveira. “The economic benefit is huge due to the impact that it would have if we needed to purchase these units brand new. By going through the surplus sale, we are able to update our fleet and hold excess funds for other projects at the airport”, Oliveira added.
Fremont County Airport (1V6) in Canon City added two large dump trucks and a runway snowplow to their fleet to support the airport’s needs. “Participating in the Colorado Surplus Sale gives us access to valuable equipment that we might not otherwise have at our disposal. It’s an incredible opportunity to enhance our capabilities without stretching our limited budget”, said Fremont County Airport Manager Wesley Brandt.
Led by the Division’s Kaitlyn Westendorf, the Colorado Surplus Airport Equipment Program remains the Division’s largest and longest-running statewide initiative. For over 20 years, this program has enabled numerous airports to affordably acquire essential airport equipment, significantly enhancing the safety and efficiency of Colorado’s Airport System.
“The success of the Surplus Airport Equipment program has helped improve the unfunded need for equipment at airports around the state by tens of millions of dollars. We have rehomed equipment to airports of all sizes and budgets all around the state, in turn, helping the safety and efficiency of Colorado’s flying public”, said Aeronautics Division Surplus Program Manager Kaitlyn Westendorf.
Colorado legislation was created in 1991 to develop and maintain the Colorado Aviation System through taxes collected on aviation fuel sold within the state. No general funds are used to meet the needs of the Colorado Aviation System. The Colorado Aviation System is funded solely through the taxes collected by those using the aviation system.
The Colorado Airport System comprises 76 public-use airports that support over 345,661 jobs, provide $16.2 billion in annual payroll, $27.0 billion in value-added, and $48.6 billion in total annual business revenue for the State of Colorado.
