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County says Aspen Airport modernization will need roughly nine‑month runway closure starting spring 2027
Summary
Pitkin County staff told the joint Aspen city‑county meeting that FAA grants could cover the bulk of runway construction, that a CMAR delivery model is planned, and that a roughly nine‑month closure beginning April 2027 is anticipated with phased work continuing through a 2029 completion target.
Pitkin County deputy county manager Ryan Mahoney told the Aspen City Council and Pitkin County commissioners that environmental approval and the airport layout plan are complete and that FAA grant feedback has been positive. "So this year, we're expecting to get approximately 40,000,000 for that grant funding," Mahoney said, adding the county expects two further annual awards of about $80,000,000 over the next two years that together should cover roughly 90–95% of air‑side improvement costs.
Mahoney said the county plans to use a construction manager at risk (CMAR) delivery method to bring a contractor on early for constructability and cost analysis, and that runway work will likely require a closure of about nine months beginning April 2027 with paving work ideally finished by November to take advantage of the short paving season. He said the project schedule anticipates phased design and construction through 2029 and that enabling work (drainage, utility relocations and rerouted Owl Creek Road/Trail) could begin in summer 2026 while the airport remains partially operational. Mahoney also said the county will act mainly as convener for travel alternatives and that private providers and other stakeholders are exploring secure busing and shuttle services during the closure.
