Every year, the Colorado Division of Aeronautics honors the outstanding individuals and organizations shaping the future of their state’s aviation system. This year’s awards were presented at the 2026 Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) Spring Conference, held June 10–12 in Pueblo, Colorado.
The Division was thrilled to celebrate excellence across the state by presenting four major honors: the Colorado Airport of the Year, Colorado Aviation Professional of the Year, the Partnership Award, and the Distinguished Service Award.
Colorado Airport of the Year
Haxtun Municipal Airport (17V) – Haxtun, CO
The Haxtun Municipal Airport (17V) was named the 2026 Colorado Airport of the Year in recognition of its outstanding contributions to our state’s aviation system through innovative partnerships and excellence in project management.
Despite serving a community of fewer than 1,000 residents and operating on a modest budget, the Town of Haxtun views 17V as a vital community asset. Under the dedicated leadership of Town Superintendent Ron Carpenter, Haxtun has masterfully leveraged state aviation grants across four major upgrade projects.
By stretching every dollar, utilizing local expertise, and even sourcing recycled components, the town has efficiently completed crucial runway, taxiway, and helipad improvements specifically designed to boost safety for life-saving medical transport flights. Haxtun is proof that vision, collaboration, and great stewardship can make a massive impact, no matter the size of the community.
Colorado Aviation Professional of the Year
Samantha Martin – Jackson County Administrator
The Division was proud to name Jackson County Administrator and Airport Manager Samantha Martin as the 2026 Colorado Aviation Professional of the Year for her outstanding management of the Walden-Jackson County Airport (33V).
Serving simultaneously as County Administrator, Emergency Manager, and Airport Manager, Samantha expertly balances the unique operational challenges faced by isolated rural communities. Her proactive leadership was fully demonstrated during the critical Runway 4/22 reconstruction project. By partnering with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics, Samantha secured the vital funding needed to rebuild the runway from the ground up without Federal backing.
Her dedication ensures 33V remains a modern, safe piece of infrastructure for essential medical transport flights and wildfire response in Colorado’s sparsely populated North Park Basin.
Partnership Award
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
The Division was thrilled to present the 2026 Partnership Award to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for their exceptional collaboration in strengthening airport infrastructure in rural Colorado.
A recent highlight of this teamwork is the successful full reconstruction of Runway 4/22 at the Walden-Jackson County Airport (33V). Because 33V is ineligible for Federal FAA funds, DOLA partnered with the Division of Aeronautics to fill the gap and provide critical funding that secured this vital airport improvement project for local emergency response and medical transport flights.
Beyond Jackson County, this collaborative relationship has driven key infrastructure and operational milestones across the state, including the new terminal building project at Akron-Colorado Plains Regional Airport (AKO), a comprehensive development and market study for San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) in Alamosa, and crucial taxiway construction Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) in Hayden, Colorado. DOLA’s dedication to shared goals continues to ensure that our rural local communities remain safe and economically connected.
Distinguished Service Award
Lorie Zarlengo – Assistant Airport Director | Centennial Airport (APA)
The rare and prestigious 2026 Distinguished Service Award was proudly presented to Lorie Zarlengo, C.M., A.C.E., the Assistant Airport Director at Centennial Airport. This special honor marks Lorie’s upcoming retirement following an extraordinary 37-year career at one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports.
Since starting as an Administrative Intern in 1990, Lorie has spent over three decades directing airport operations, emergency management, and the Airport Management Internship Program. Her direct influence spans the entire country, having mentored and shaped the careers of hundreds of aviation professionals.
Her impact hits incredibly close to home for us at the Division of Aeronautics, with five of our ten current staff members having worked directly with or for Lorie during her tenure at Centennial Airport. Lorie’s career is the very definition of distinguished service, and the entire Colorado aviation community is profoundly grateful for her decades of leadership, mentorship, and excellence.
