Greeley-Weld County Airport improvements move forward

Published on October 28, 2024

The Weld County Board of Commissioners in the Centennial Hearing Room.

The Greeley-Weld County Airport is set to receive an additional taxi lane, taxiway, public access road and an internal access road. The improvements were solidified last Wednesday with an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Weld County, the City of Greeley and the Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority Board.

The IGA follows discussions earlier this year between each entity, which expressed the shared desire to improve the airport so it can service greater air traffic and larger planes.

“Given the growth we’re experiencing and what’s anticipated in the coming years, it only makes sense to provide these enhancements,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner Chair. “Our airport will be better equipped to deal with transportation needs not only in the county but regionally as well, which is exciting.”

Weld County and the City of Greeley are each contributing up to $5 million for the improvements, which include the design and construction of an additional taxiway and taxi lane in anticipation of future hangers being built on the airport’s east side. “Wing Way” will also be designed and constructed — a public access road to the airport running from Weld County Road 47 westbound to the airport’s perimeter, before turning northbound and tying into Weld County Road 66. Lastly, an internal access road will be constructed, connecting airport security and credentialed patrons to hangars.

The IGA marks a notable first in the airport’s history: the first major monetary contributions by Weld County and the City of Greeley since the two agreed to oversee the airport through the creation of the Greeley-Weld Authority Board in 1978 — a  board consisting of representatives from the City of Greeley, Weld County and a jointly appointed member, responsible for helping to oversee the organization and administration of the airport.

“Outside of some accounting services and the donation of a vehicle in the 80s, in 46 years, there have been no  big contributions to the airport,” said Bruce Barker, Weld County Attorney. “This is a first for the county and the city.”

Construction of the improvements is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025 and be complete by August of that year, according to Paul Anslow, Aviation Strategic Business Development Director for Bolton & Menk, the company serving as the overall project manager. While Bolton & Menk is designing “Wing Way” and the internal access road, Garver Engineering is designing the taxiway and taxi lane. Each company will select a contractor to complete construction once their project designs are complete.