The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will close Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:00 p.m. through Friday, November 19, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. to undergo the voter-approved infrastructure improvements to enhance safety, access, efficiency, and long-term operational reliability.

The 2027 closure will allow for the complete reconstruction of the existing runway to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. Construction of the new commercial passenger terminal and Fixed Based Operator (FBO) facility will also begin in April 2027. When the new ASE runway reopens in late 2027, commercial operations will continue in the existing terminal until the new terminal is completed in 2029. 

There are several ways to stay informed about the airport modernization project during the closure:

• Visit the project website for real-time updates

• For all questions, comments or concerns email ASEinfo@aspenairport.com or call the construction hotline at 970-920-5284.

• Review regular construction bulletins at aspenairport.com/construction

• Subscribe to the monthly airport newsletter and our Frequent Flyer 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.

Preparatory work for the runway shift and reconstruction began summer 2026. This enabling work includes 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 up to 30 feet to the west over a length of about 1,800 feet, with construction anticipated in mid- to late summer 2026.

Construction on Owl Creek Road and the Owl Creek Trail began the week of July 27, motorists can expect alternating one-lane traffic and brief delays on Owl Creek Road with impacts expected to continue through October 2026. By November 2026, Owl Creek Road and Trail is expected to be back to two lanes and in its new configuration.

This work marks the beginning of the Airport Modernization Project’s first construction phase, preparing the site for the airport’s 2027 runway reconstruction through roadway, trail, utility and other infrastructure improvements.

The enabling work includes realigning a portion of Owl Creek Road and Owl Creek Trail, relocating underground utilities including a water line, shifting and realigning the Airport Operations Center parking lot, extending the Owl Creek culvert, and constructing a temporary haul route, along with staging and batch plant areas that will support runway reconstruction next year.

The existing runway has reached the end of its useful life. Reconstructing it now improves reliability, meets current FAA safety standards and ensures ASE can continue serving the community for decades to come.

The runway is being reconstructed to meet current FAA safety standards for an Airplane Design Group III (ADG III). Today, ASE does not meet the required 400-foot separation between the runway and taxiway centerlines. Widening the runway to 150 feet and shifting it approximately 80 feet west brings the airfield into compliance and improves safety. We currently have a 95′ wingspan limitation. When the runway is reconstructed to meet FAA safety standards the wingspan limitation will be less than or equal to 118′. 

This is a complete rebuild of the runway, including an 80′ shift to the west and a widening from 100′ to 150′. The grades of the runway will be adjusted. The existing runway cannot be kept open during this type of construction. Because of the shift of the runway, all of the navigational aids will be replaced and/or moved during the construction. This is seen as a great opportunity to modernize the equipment and operations.

No. The runway is expected to reopen on November 19, 2027, but the new terminal will still be under construction. The existing terminal will remain in use until the new terminal is complete. The terminal is projected to be completed in 2029.

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. Flights have been increased at Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport by both United and American Airlines to offer more options to fly in and out of a regional airport while ASE is closed.

Rifle Garfield County Airport will also be available for general aviation (GA) flights.

ASE will be closed to helicopter traffic during the 2027 construction period. For nearby alternatives, helicopter operators should contact (GWS) Glenwood Springs Airport or (RIL) Rifle Airport for parking availability. Helicopters are generally prohibited from landing on any public or private land in Pitkin County outside of the airport.

The runway reconstruction and shift are being funded through a combination of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants and airport revenues. The FAA is expected to provide the majority of funding for the project, with the remaining costs funded through the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Enterprise Fund. Airport enterprise funds come from airport-generated revenues rather than the County’s general fund.

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.