Durango, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Northwest Mountain Region Assistant Manager Chris Schaffer toured the Durango-La Plata County Airport late last week. Bennet and Schaffer joined Durango Mayor Dean Brookie, Durango City Manager Ron LeBlanc, La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff, Director of Aviation Kip Turner and Brad Tafoya from the La Plata Economic Development Association. During the tour of the existing terminal, local officials discussed options for building a new terminal with Schaffer.
“The Durango Airport is the fastest growing airport in the state and provides an important connection to southwestern Colorado and some of the most beautiful terrain in the state,” Bennet said. “Improving this airport could be an excellent opportunity for economic growth in the region, and it’s important that the community can convey their plans to the FAA directly. We look forward to continue working with the FAA, local officials, La Plata County and the city of Durango on this project.”
Local officials are hoping to receive federal funding from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) if plans for the new terminal move forward with the dedication of local funding sources. Bennet fought to include the AIP in the 2012 FAA Reauthorization. The program is designed to aid the development of public-use airports that make significant contributions to national and regional air transportation.
# # #