A smoother landing paved with over $8 million in new funding is coming to Cortez Municipal Airport.
Mayor Rachel Medina authorized the city to accept a grant for the airport’s runway rehabilitation project during the previous Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“We’re going to seal, coat and repaint all the markings on the taxiways in addition to the runway and just spruce it up,” Airport Director Jeremy Patton said to City Council.
According to Patton, the funds for the airport’s restoration comes from a combination of sources: federal money from both the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with state money from the Colorado Division of Aeronautics and local matching funds.
Patton said that designs for the rehabilitation project started in 2023, and completion was originally slotted for 2029 or 2030.
“I’ve been pushing for the last few years to get this done,” he said.
Electrical system fixes, wind cone adjustment and replacements of plane landing lights are all listed on the project’s online bid posting.
During a presentation given to City Council in April, Patton said the runway construction project will take place from Sept. 19-Nov. 11.
Council members thanked Patton for his efforts to improve the airport.
Councilor Robert Dobry said he hoped Cortez “appreciates what our airport and improvements to our airport can do for our community, our economy and our tourism economy.”
Correction: A previous version of this article said “During a presentation given to City Council in April, Patton said the airport will be closed for construction on Oct. 4-24 and Sept. 19-Nov. 11.”
Patton said that the 20-day range of dates Oct. 4-24 will be the biggest impact to the airport because tickets cannot be sold at that time.
