"The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is one of Colorado's 13 commercial service airports (there are a total of 79 public-use airports in the State) and is the third busiest airport in the state based on enplaned passengers. It has over 240,000 annual enplaned passengers, 40,000 annual takeoffs and landings and 103 based aircraft.The Colorado Division of Aeronautics conducted a study in 1996 to evaluate the economic benefits of aviation to the State's economy. This study found that the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is responsible for a combined quantifiable total economic impact of over $478 million annually to the local economy. This is broken down by: Direct Impacts - The direct impacts associated with the provision of air service at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport totals over $14 million dollars annually. These dollar expenditures include the costs associated with maintaining and operating the facility; Indirect Impacts - Visitors to the region and local businesses also generate economic impacts. Approximately 202,000 people visit the region annually via Aspen/Pitkin Airport. These visitors typically pursue recreational interests such as skiing, fishing, hiking, and hunting. In addition, travel agencies depend on airport transportation for their business. Combined, these visitors and businesses spend an estimated $255 million annually in the local economy on lodging, food, recreation, business services etc.; Multiplier Impacts - The respending of these direct and indirect impacts in the local area economy totals $208,000 million dollars annually. These statistics reveal the importance the airport plays in the economic vitality of the community and in the nations air transportation system. As a result the airport will continue receiving FAA Airport Improvement Funds to improve capacity and safety of the airport."
The Colorado Division of Aeronautics conducted a study in 1996 to evaluate the economic benefits of aviation to the State's economy. This study found that the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is responsible for a combined quantifiable total economic impact of over $478 million annually to the local economy. This is broken down by: Direct Impacts - The direct impacts associated with the provision of air service at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport totals over $14 million dollars annually. These dollar expenditures include the costs associated with maintaining and operating the facility; Indirect Impacts - Visitors to the region and local businesses also generate economic impacts. Approximately 202,000 people visit the region annually via Aspen/Pitkin Airport. These visitors typically pursue recreational interests such as skiing, fishing, hiking, and hunting. In addition, travel agencies depend on airport transportation for their business. Combined, these visitors and businesses spend an estimated $255 million annually in the local economy on lodging, food, recreation, business services etc.; Multiplier Impacts - The respending of these direct and indirect impacts in the local area economy totals $208,000 million dollars annually. 
These statistics reveal the importance the airport plays in the economic vitality of the community and in the nations air transportation system. As a result the airport will continue receiving FAA Airport Improvement Funds to improve capacity and safety of the airport."
