Three Colorado airports will receive more than $20 million in economic-recovery grants.
U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants Monday. Denver International Airport will get the largest share — $12 million — with Centennial Airport on tap for $4.05 million and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport for $4 million.
Of DIA’s share, $7 million is earmarked for runway rehabilitation, and $5 million will be used to rehabilitate “apron areas,” typically where planes park, board passengers and refuel.
The grants mean that DIA’s capital-improvements budget can be stretched to cover other projects, airport spokesman Chuck Cannon said.
DIA has a list of $84.4 million in projects that are eligible for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.
The economic-recovery package pumps $1.1 billion nationally into the Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports.
DIA has a continuous program of replacing runways, which Cannon said take a beating from takeoffs and landings.
Cannon said he didn’t know whether additional employees will be hired for the runway and apron grant projects since companies are under contract for ongoing rehab work.
Two sections of runways and a couple of connectors will be replaced at Centennial Airport, said executive director Robert Olislagers.
Jim Elmwood, aviation director at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, said its grant will improve “rather poorly deteriorated” plane parking areas that have gone unfunded since 2003.
At both airports, bids are expected to be let in a few weeks, with the work to be completed by fall.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
