What is now a tremendous boon for Denver — its renowned international airport — was once considered a boondoggle.
DIA was beset by all sorts of problems early on: From airlines wanting to expand Stapleton Airport rather than build a new one, to entities like Adams County and the city of Brighton not wanting a new airport built on their turf and threatening lawsuits, to its infamous baggage system that made headlines for its cost and ineffectiveness, to the first time the “all-weather” facility was shut down by a massive snowstorm.
In 2020, it is a crown jewel of the Mile High City.
As the airport celebrates its 25th anniversary, reporter Joe Rubino walks us through DIA’s quarter of a century, from those troubling early days to today’s massive renovation and expansion project where the once-reluctant airlines are now vying for dozens of new gates. You’ll hear from Denver mayors Federico Peña (he of Peña Boulevard fame) and Wellington Webb about those heady early days. There will be stories about convoys, complicated government financing and even a margarita or two. And maybe even a blue, demon-possessed horse.
— Donovan Henderson, Denver Post business editor
Denver International Airport at 25: From boondoggle to boon
RELATED: View a timeline of significant events in the History of DIA
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Photo of the week
In a world full of distinctive airport architecture, DIA stands alone. Colorado’s landmark Denver International Airport, with its iconic white tent design and quirky reputation, celebrated 25 years of operation on Friday. Take a look back at DIA’s history in pictures from The Denver Post archives.
