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Pitkin County and partners lay out community continuity planning for 2027 airport closure
Summary
Pitkin County staff, tourism partners and airport officials outlined a community continuity plan for the 2027 Pitkin County Airport closure: runway demolition in April 2027, reopening of a refurbished runway in November 2027 and terminal work continuing through 2029; RFQs for ground transportation and coordination on parking, rentals, workforce housing and marketing were discussed.
Pitkin County and regional partners presented a community continuity planning update on June 22 as the county prepares for the 2027 Pitkin County Airport closure and terminal/runway rebuild.
"We are working with our Seamar Qit on enabling work to start this summer for the runway ... that will not affect the operation of the runway this summer or into the fall," Diane Jackson, an airport project representative, said, describing staging for enabling work. She later told the meeting the runway demolition will occur during the full closure in April 2027 and that the airport is expected to reopen in November 2027 with the new runway foundation in place while terminal construction continues through 2029.
County staff and tourism partners said they have opened a community continuity effort with subcommittees on transportation and marketing. Fly Aspen Snowmass has issued an RFQ for ground‑transportation providers and officials said United Airlines has announced schedule shifts that will move significant passenger volume to Eagle County Airport next summer. Bill Thompson, a consultant working with the tourism group, said United plans to increase Denver–Eagle daily flights and to operate several long‑haul connections into Eagle, compressing arrivals into evening inbound/morning outbound banks that will help concentrate shuttle scheduling.
Organizers said they are exploring alternate rental‑car and parking plans (including temporary use of small sections of the Brush Creek Park & Ride) and aim to offer a coordinated set of shuttle options rather than many disconnected private services. Visitor research presented by tourism partners found 66.3% of surveyed visitors said the closure would not reduce their intent to visit in 2027, and 18.6% said they were more likely to visit.
County and partner priorities include: minimizing single‑occupancy vehicle trips, preserving mobility for local workers, coordinating special events and construction schedules across projects, and identifying workforce and short‑term housing options for contractors. A public town hall is scheduled for July 14 to explain transportation choices, parking plans and expected construction impacts.
Officials said the RFQ closes soon and that selection of operators and additional schedule details will follow; they encouraged residents and businesses to submit questions for the July town hall and to monitor county postings for project updates.
