Pitkin County outlines $575M Aspen airport modernization, asks voters to authorize up to $340M in bonds

Pitkin County and the City of Aspen heard a detailed update Nov. 15 on a planned modernization of the Aspen–Pitkin County Airport that county officials estimate will cost roughly $575 million on the county side and could require voter authorization for up to $340 million in bonds.

County Manager John Peacock said the project focuses on the airfield (runway and east-side taxiway), terminal and landside elements including parking and ground transportation. The redevelopment follows recommendations from an 18‑month, multi‑group public process in 2018–19 that were codified by the county in a resolution and are guiding current designs.

The airport director, Diane Jackson, said the project has cleared environmental review, allowing staff to work with the Federal Aviation Administration on grant applications. Deputy County Manager Ryan Mahoney said the county expects FAA grants to cover most airside work and proposed the bond authorization to finance the terminal and other landside costs that are less likely to be fully grant‑funded. Mahoney described the $340 million figure as a conservative ceiling rather than a forecasted issuance amount.

Officials laid out a tight schedule: design procurement is underway and will continue into mid‑2026, with runway construction planned to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and the county estimating roughly three quarters of that year would require the runway to be closed for major work. Staff said they plan construction shifts (two shifts plus weekend work) during peak closures to meet that window and reduce the total closure time. A temporary runway closure for service work is also expected in spring 2026. The county projects a terminal ribbon‑cutting in 2029.

County staff described community engagement plans and governance of design review: two citizen task forces (terminal design and multimodal connectivity) have been formed from 87 applicants and will advise the airport advisory board, which in turn will recommend actions to the Board of County Commissioners. Outreach will include open houses, focus groups, pop‑ups, newsletters and a dedicated project website (aspenairport.com/modernization) and an opt‑in “ASC frequent flyer updates” mailing list.

Elected officials asked how firm FAA funding commitments are and how construction impacts (worker numbers, housing for workers, traffic and event planning) will be mitigated. Peacock and Mahoney said written FAA commitments are not yet in hand; environmental clearance enables the funding conversations but the county does not yet have final grant awards. Staff said they are coordinating with airlines, other airports and federal representatives and plan public communications for travel platforms and shuttle arrangements during construction.

Next steps: county staff said they will continue FAA grant negotiations, advance final design with procured teams (Kimley‑Horn for airside work; ZGF for terminal and landside), and bring any required resolutions and bond measures forward for voter consideration. The county encouraged public participation in upcoming task‑force meetings and open houses announced during the presentation.