Pitkin County accepts schematic design for Aspen–Pitkin County Airport terminal, directs phased approach

The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners voted June 24 to accept the Aspen–Pitkin County Airport terminal schematic design as presented and to move the project into design development under a two-phase approach.

The decision follows a detailed presentation by David Schneider, interim deputy director for the Aspen Airport, and Carter Strawman, project manager with Jacobson Daniels, who told the board “the schematic design process yielded a program that was significantly larger and more cost costly than anticipated,” and outlined a phase‑one footprint intended to be closer to 90,000–95,000 square feet with a later phase to accommodate further expansion to roughly 130,000–140,000 square feet.

Schneider and the design team described a funding and phasing strategy the county will use to refine scope, costs and schedule through design development. Carter said the team will work “with the construction manager at risk to provide coordinated solutions for both phase one and phase two” while continuing community outreach and approvals from airport advisory bodies.

Commissioners pressed the team on operational details and trade-offs. Commissioner Francancy asked for clarity that accepting schematic design would not lock the county into a single terminal size; Carter replied it would not, and that design development will confirm phase‑one size, gate counts and apron sequencing. Commissioners also questioned baggage handling, the size of passenger holding areas, and whether the project would include jet bridges. Carter said the schematic keeps flexibility, including “jet bridges or a hybrid approach,” and that jet‑bridge decisions will be further evaluated in design development.

The board also discussed parking and employee access. Staff said they have no final opening‑day parking totals but intend to preserve existing parking capacity, provide better management, and explore an employee shuttle from the Brush Creek intercept park‑and‑ride. On baggage and employee facilities, commissioners urged attention to winter weather protections for baggage staff and to finalize hold‑room capacity. The design team said phase two would add roughly 11,000 square feet of level‑two passenger waiting area over the phase‑one hold rooms when funded.

The board voted to adopt an informal resolution accepting the schematic design package dated June 16, 2026, with the understanding it will guide the design development phase. The motion was made by Commissioner Patty and seconded by Commissioner Greg and passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff and the design team will proceed into design development, continue community outreach through task forces, engage the construction manager at risk, and return to the board with design‑development materials and funding options. The county emphasized that acceptance of the schematic design is not acceptance of a final construction design.

Sources: Presentation to the BOCC and design team Q&A at the June 24 meeting; statements by Carter Strawman and David Schneider.