The Durango-LaPlata County Airport was responsible for generating $293 million in economic impact in 2018, according to a recent report by the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics.
The Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study, conducted every five years, looks at the economic impact of 70 public-use airports in the state. The economic contribution of these airports increased 30% between 2013 and 2018.
The study measured criteria including jobs created and supported by airport operations, total payroll compensation, business revenue and visitor spending. According to the study, DRO supported 2,707 jobs, $107 million in payroll, $173 million in “value-added” economic productivity and $293 million in total business revenue in 2018.
Commercial airlines and the 390,000 passengers they serve annually at DRO are the most well-known aspects of the airport, but other operations also impact the regional economy, such as air cargo, general aviation, the U.S. Forest Service air tanker base, military flight training and air medical transport.
Full results of the report will be released in April.
