Powdr Corp execs flew in and out of the Leadville airport numerous times in the months leading up to the purchase of Copper Mountain. Lake County officials want to boost awareness of the airport as the closest landing strip to Summit County's ski resorts.
Lake County officials looking for Summit connections to generate interest in corporate jet traffic
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY — Jet-setting Powdr Corp execs flew in and out of the Leadville airport at least 10 times in the months leading up to the sale of Copper Mountain, leading Lake County officials to think they might be able to tap into a new business niche for the country’s highest landing strip.
“We would like to be your airport,” said Zachary Colescott, asking the Summit County commissioners for some input on how to make local connections that could benefit the airport and meet the needs of people trying to get to Summit County.
There’s no commercial service in or out of the Lake County facility, which still relies heavily on military testing and training operations for most of its traffic. But Colescott and Lake County Commissioner Mike Bordogna see potential for more private traffic.
In recent years, Lake County, Colorado and the Federal Aviation Administration have invested about $4 million to upgrade the airport. Improvements include a GPS instrumental approach which allows jets and larger aircraft to to meet insurance requirements, according to the airport’s web site.
“We’re starting to see more of a demand from private parties,” Colescott said. The facility is already helping generate some business as pilots and passengers head into town to eat and shop — up to 100 people per month, according to Colescott. Tracking traffic on the airport’s web site shows there is interest in the facility, he said.
“You have people that are trying to fly here. They’re just not sure how to get here. That’s what Google searches show,” he said.
The Summit commissioners said the best avenues for collaboration would be through the local chambers of commerce and town economic development committees.
The airport has been through a series of management changes in recent decades, but Colescott and Bordogna are confident the facility can lead to increased revenues. Lake County took over daily operations at the airport Jan. 1, 2009. Currently, the airport sees about 10,000 take-offs and landing per year.
According to Colescott, there was commercial air service to Leadville back in the 1970s, likely related to the amount of mining in the area. A long-range master plan envisions the possibility of renewed commercial service, but that would require significant improvements to passenger and luggage-handling facilities, as well as to some of the operational functions of the airport related to altitude.
Colescott said a recent visit by Boeing to test helicopters shows the potential for revenue. He estimates that, between fuel sales, lodging and other expenses, the company spent about $30,000 to $40,000 during its stay. The majority of the revenue comes from fuel sales and hangar rentals. The airport operates on an annual budget of about $280,000.
The airport can’t charge the military for use of the facility since it receives significant federal grant funding, but does sell a large amount of fuel when Air Force or Army planes come in for their high-altitude training sessions, Colescott said.
Colescott said the airport can handle larger corporate jets carrying up to 15 passengers, as well as larger turboprops that land at a lower speed. Military flights include larger cargo planes, he said
High-elevation landings and takeoffs are challenging. Many aircraft are operating above their manufacturer’s specification altitudes when flying in Leadville, according to the airport web site. The airport is at 9,927 feet.
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