GREELEY – Improvements at Greeley-Weld County Airport are nearing completion as state agencies that operate the airport work on an agreement to share improvement costs.

The city of Greeley presented its proposed long-term airport improvement strategy to Weld County commissioners earlier this month. The two groups have agreed to split the proposed $5 million cost of infrastructure improvements on the east side of the airport to allow the companies to build hangar space and work to connect the two runways. The sides are working on an intergovernmental agreement outlining their respective obligations.

The groups met Tuesday morning for their quarterly joint meeting at Doug’s Diner in Greeley to discuss this and other projects.

“As soon as the design is complete, we’ll look at it for approval,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner and member of the Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority. “I expect it anytime. We’re moving really quickly here.”

“The county hasn’t invested anything in the airport in nearly 30 years, so this is an opportunity for us to bring in some capital to help support that,” Ross said. “We see this airport as a diamond in the rough. And with its proximity to County Road 47/49, this airport can really be a shining star. The FAA considers it one of the top three airports in the state.”

Earlier this month, the FAA approved $1.4 million for the airport to rehabilitate 18,000 square feet of existing runway pavement to maintain its structural integrity and minimize foreign object buildup. Earlier this year, the FAA approved $850,000 to help connect the airport’s two runways, according to press releases from U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colorado).

Ross said the two groups have agreed to split the $5 million cost to get the project underway. Greeley Public Works Director Paul Trombino told the Board of Weld County Commissioners earlier this month that he could have those initial improvements completed by February, according to the Greeley Tribune.

One of the most immediate concerns is meeting the strong demand for hangar space, Ross said.

John Gates, mayor of Greeley and chairman of the Greeley-Weld Airport Authority, said JBS will lose its lease in Loveland next year.

“They’re looking for hangar space, and not only is there no space available, even if there was, the space isn’t big enough to accommodate one of the JBS jets,” Gates said. “The first item is to design and build one or more hangars to accommodate JBS. We’re working with JBS to make sure that happens.”

Ross added: “I think this is long overdue and there is an opportunity here. You don’t want to lose important employers and other things for the region. JBS is an important part of our communities. If we can work with them and support them and others in doing this, I think it makes sense.”

The airport’s 20-year vision also includes new uses and increased passenger traffic, including industrial centers, manufacturing space, greenhouses, and railport and agriport facilities. The airport’s configuration would also change, with the terminal relocated to the east side of the site.

The plan also calls for asking the FAA for financial assistance to build an air traffic control tower, which the airport does not have, and to fund upgrades to the 10,000-foot runway so it can handle a maximum load of 65,000 pounds (29,450 kg), which is currently only designed to handle about 40,000 pounds (18,100 kg).

Ross said the portion of the money earmarked for Weld County will come from the public works fund.
“We don’t have a set timeline for what we’re going to do next, but it allows us to go back to the FAA and say, ‘Look, we’re investing. What can we do to improve the runway for heavier loads?'” Greeley has already annexed quite a large portion around the airport… As far as the county goes, we’re working on County Road 66 and improving it, and that’s been in our CIP for several years. That will provide another access to the airport.”

Greeley’s share of the initial improvement costs would be covered by its capital improvement plan, Mayor Dale Hall said.

“We agree that we need to improve those runways,” Hall said. “And then we believe the airport is a viable gem. We need to move on and see what else we can do to attract more commercial activity there.”

Gates said the city presented the 20-year plan to the Greeley-Weld Airport Authority on Monday, but three board members were not present. He plans to present the plan to those members at a board meeting in September to make sure everyone is on board with the entire plan.