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Company seeks to place helicopter hub in Dolores County; board open to letters of support
Summary
A company called Mountain Top Aviation Service proposed a rural aviation utility outpost (pad and hangar) to support EMS, mail/cargo and firefighting. Board members discussed letters of support and possible site coordination with the airport.
County staff presented a letter of interest from Mountain Top Aviation Service proposing a 100-by-100 concrete pad and a 100-by-160-foot hangar to establish a rural aviation utility outpost serving EMS, mail/cargo and aerial firefighting operations. "They're just trying to figure they wanna do it in the Southwest Region," a staff member said when summarizing the company's outreach.
Why it matters: Board members said a local base for air medical and utility flights could shorten response times, provide closer med‑vac capacity in bad weather, and help with wildfire bucket operations. Staff said the company reported substantial grant funding and plans regional hubs in Montrose and Purple Creek.
A staff member told the board the company had "a $200,000,000 grant to do this," and asked if the commissioners would be willing to provide letters of support. Keith, speaking for local response agencies, said he would "help build the county pad" and that local responders could work with the company on siting and mutual-aid arrangements.
The board directed staff to collect more information and said they would provide letters of support if members agree after seeing details about locations, lease terms and community impacts.
