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Commissioners approve $900,000 CDOT grant to replace Meeker Airport fuel farm
Summary
The board approved a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) grant that will fund half of a planned fuel farm replacement at Meeker Airport. County staff said the project responds to aging equipment and rising insurance costs; commissioners voted to accept the award and adopt the required grant resolution.
Rio Blanco County commissioners voted Feb. 11 to accept a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) aviation grant to replace the fuel farm at Meeker Airport and adopted the accompanying grant resolution.
The CDOT award covers $450,000 of a $900,000 project to replace underground fuel tanks and associated systems. County staff said tank components date to the early 1990s, insurance premiums had escalated, and tank equipment was approaching the end of its service life. Commissioners said a replacement was necessary to protect county operations and public safety.
Eric (staff member), who presented the item, said the county had budgeted $750,000 for the replacement and that CDOT’s 50/50 match increases the overall project budget so the county expects to contribute roughly $450,000 of local funds alongside the state grant. Eric said the county will proceed with final design and FAA/CDOT review once the grant paperwork is filed.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hara moved to approve the CDOT fuel-farm grant award letter; Commissioner Kelly Scritchfield seconded. The board called the roll; Commissioners Doug Overton, Jennifer O’Hara and Kelly Scritchfield voted aye. The board later approved a separate resolution (Exhibit B) that formally accepts the terms of the CDOT grant.
County staff said the project schedule depends on design completion and construction bidding; project engineering work under an existing airport engineering contract will be completed before bidding the work. Commissioners and staff said construction timing may be affected by material and labor availability, but the county expects to move forward as soon as CDOT and FAA approvals are obtained.
What the board approved - Acceptance of CDOT Aeronautics fuel-farm grant for Meeker Airport (total project value $900,000; CDOT share $450,000; county share ~$450,000). - Adoption of the grant resolution required by CDOT.
Votes (recorded Feb. 11, 2025) - Motion to accept the CDOT fuel-farm grant: Approved by roll call (Overton: aye; O’Hara: aye; Scritchfield: aye). - Motion to adopt the CDOT grant resolution (Exhibit B): Approved by roll call (Overton: aye; O’Hara: aye; Scritchfield: aye).
Why it matters The Meeker Airport fuel farm stores avgas and jet fuel used by emergency responders, local operators and visiting aircraft. County staff said aging equipment and higher insurance costs made replacement a near-term priority; the CDOT grant reduces the county’s share of the cost and moves the project closer to construction.
