Following years of planning and voter approval in November 2024, the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) Modernization Program is moving into the design phase.
The project’s centerpiece is a new passenger terminal to better serve travelers, locals and airport staff. Over the next 18 months, a new terminal will be designed to reflect the community-led and values-driven “Common Ground Recommendations” adopted by the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in December 2020. Sign up for modernization project updates and public engagement opportunities, click here.
Anticipated over five years, from 2025 to 2029, the phased project schedule is designed to minimize impacts to travelers, residents, and local businesses.
The accelerated schedule is ambitious and will require significant resource commitments to complete the runway reconstruction by the end of 2027. Below is a summary of the project status:
Where We’re Going
Where We’ve Been
Wondering about the ASE Modernization Project? Here’s some answers to commonly asked questions. If you need more information, please reach out through email to ASEinfo@aspenairport.com.
The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will close for one construction season to complete runway safety improvements, beginning in April 2027 and continuing through November 2027.
Specific closure dates will be confirmed once a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) is selected, permitting is finalized, and the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners approves nighttime and weekend work.
Preparatory work for the runway shift and reconstruction will begin in summer 2026. This enabling work will include initial staging activities to relocate Owl Creek Road and the adjacent bike path, as well as select utility work.
The Owl Creek Trail will be shifted approximately 30 feet to the west over a length of about 1,800 feet, with construction anticipated in mid- to late summer 2026.
There are several ways to stay informed about the airport modernization project during the closure:
Visit the project website for real-time updates
Review regular construction bulletins
Subscribe to the monthly airport newsletter and the project-specific newsletter
Sign up for email and text alerts through PitkinAlerts
Attend community briefings held during the temporary construction closure
Participate in regular opportunities for public feedback
These resources are designed to keep the community informed and engaged throughout the project.
The runway reconstruction and shift are expected to be completed in November 2027. When the airport reopens, passengers will continue using the existing terminal. The new terminal is anticipated to be completed by 2029, at which time the existing terminal will be deconstructed.
During the closure, travelers may use nearby regional airports for commercial service, including Denver International Airport, Grand Junction Regional Airport, Montrose Regional Airport, and Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport.
Rifle Garfield County Airport will also be available for general aviation (GA) flights.
At this time, transportation options have not been arranged for the 2027 runway closure.
We want to do all we can to become as energy-efficient and environmentally conscious as possible. Lighting controls with self-dimming features when direct sunlight is coming into the terminal building. Water efficient plumbing fixtures to conserve water usage
Exterior windows will have better glazing and frames to help conserve HVAC usage
All LED, energy-efficient lighting
Mechanical upgrades for better thermal comfort, energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Anticipated over five years, from 2025 to 2029, the phased project schedule is designed to minimize impacts to travelers, residents and local businesses. Design work has begun with the goal of limiting a full runway closure to a single construction season – currently scheduled to start in Spring 2027. The accelerated schedule is ambitious and will require bond approval by the public, BOCC approval of extended construction hours, and significant resource commitments to complete the runway reconstruction by the end of 2027.
The total program cost is currently estimated at $575 million and is subject to change. Many project components are eligible for FAA funding; for example, the runway project may receive up to 90% of the total airfield project cost. Outside grant funding and revenue from the Fixed Base Operator private aviation lease will offset the amount of debt and local funding required from the existing airport enterprise fund. No new taxes or tax rate increases will be considered for this project.
While FAA grant funding may cover up to 90% of airside/runway costs, the project’s centerpiece is a new passenger terminal, which requires additional local funding without imposing any new tax or increasing any tax rate. On August 27, 2025, the BOCC approved a Ballot Issue Resolution to issue bonds for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Redevelopment.
To support redevelopment of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and construction of a new passenger terminal, voters approved Ballot Issue 1A during the November 4, 2025 election. The measure authorized Pitkin County to issue Airport revenue bonds not to exceed $340 million to help finance the project. Because the bonds are structured as revenue bonds, they are not repaid through property taxes and do not require any new taxes or tax rate increases. Instead, the bonds are to be secured and repaid from Airport Enterprise Fund revenues, including airport fees and charges and lease revenues, such as revenue generated through the Atlantic Aviation Fixed Base Operator (FBO) lease.
The current terminal building was built in 1976 and has not structurally been upgraded. The community visioning process agreed to ensure the airport remains accessible and functional for all travelers. while aligning with the Common Ground Recommendation with #1 being a safer, cleaner and quieter airport.
In 2024, a 30-year lease agreement was signed with Atlantic Aviation as the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO). Revenues from this agreement are estimated to start at $20 million per year with revenue growth throughout the term of the lease. These funds which originate from both commercial and private aviation will contribute to the airport’s ability to secure and repay the bonds without any new taxes or tax rate increases.
The ASE Modernization project will require an increase in charges and fees for commercial airline operators, such as gate and landing fees, as well as increases in parking, rental car and other vendor lease fees. The estimated fee increases will be based on comparable market rates.
FAA Response: No. The FAA will not approve an ALP at ASE that does not meet the 400’ runway/taxiway separation standard. In 2013, Pitkin County submitted an ALP update showing 320’ runway/taxiway separation on the west side of the airfield. We responded with the following in the ALP approval letter:
The FAA’s approval of this ALP does not apply to the proposed runway/taxiway separation distance of 320’ on the west side of Runway 15/33. FAA is evaluating this nonstandard separation distance and will continue to coordinate the issue with Pitkin County.
The FAA approved the current ALP, submitted by Pitkin County, on May 17, 2016, which showed a path forward to meet the 400’ runway/taxiway separation standard. Pitkin County’s submission of the May 17, 2016, ALP demonstrates that is practical to meet standards at the existing airport site. The FAA will not approve any future ALPs that do not meet the 400’ runway/taxiway separation standard.