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Pitkin County authorizes FAA grant application for new airport terminal; commissioners vote 4–0
Summary
Pitkin County commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a resolution (4–0) authorizing submission of an FAA Airport Terminal Program grant application seeking about $14.75 million toward a $190 million terminal project, with a county cost-share of roughly $775,000; staff said the request aims to be competitive in the nonhub/nonprimary category.
Pitkin County commissioners unanimously authorized staff on Jan. 6 to submit a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Terminal Program grant application for a new passenger terminal at Aspen Pitkin County Airport.
Deputy County Manager Ryan Mahoney and airport director Diane Jackson summarized the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), which stems from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act. Staff described a $190 million estimated terminal cost and said they plan to request $14,750,000 (rounded to $15 million in presentation remarks) from the FAA’s nonhub/nonprimary airport category, with an expected county cost share of about $775,000.
"We are proposing that we ask for about $15,000,000 in this grant program," Mahoney told the board, explaining the ask is near the top of precedent for the category but aligned with the county’s stated need and the administration’s priorities. Consultants and grant advisors briefed the board that average awards in the eligible category have been closer to $2–3 million, and that a larger request is within historical precedent but will be competitive.
Staff also described other funding pots being pursued for runway and modernization work. They noted a separate AIP/runway allocation is expected (staff referenced an anticipated $9 million initial award tied to runway work), federal discretionary grants remain under consideration, and congressional-directed funding is a separate avenue. Staff said the FAA has signaled a concentration of certain funds on runway-specific projects and recommended a portfolio approach to financing the airport modernization program.
After a public-hearing period with no public commenters, Commissioner Jeffrey moved to approve the resolution authorizing submission of the grant application and Commissioner Greg seconded. The board voted 4–0 to approve the resolution and authorized staff to finalize and submit the application by the January 15 deadline.
Why it matters: The grant request is one part of a multi-source financing plan to modernize airport facilities, improve passenger experience and support the airport’s role in the state aviation network. If successful, an FAA award would reduce the county’s share of terminal costs and could be combined with runway funds and other grants.
What’s next: Staff will finalize application materials for submission, prepare a consolidated chart of funding sources for the broader airport modernization program and continue to pursue additional grants and congressional requests.
(Reporting based on the Pitkin County BOCC special meeting and staff presentation, Jan. 6, 2026.)
