Jackson County Airport in Walden, Colorado, has completed a full reconstruction of its main runway, 4/22. The project is expected to improve safety and efficiency for aviation users in the North Park region and to support emergency access.
The airport, situated about one mile north of Walden, serves rural northwestern Colorado by supporting recreational flying, business travel, aerial firefighting, air ambulance services, and tourism. The reconstruction involved rebuilding the 5,900-foot runway with a stronger pavement base, an improved surface, and upgraded safety markings.
Kent Holsinger, Chair of the Colorado Aeronautical Board, stated: “The Walden-Jackson County Airport is an essential lifeline for our community, not only for business and tourism but also for emergency services like aerial firefighting and medical flights. We’re extremely grateful and proud of the new runway and the dividends are sure to last for decades.”
Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), said: “DOLA is proud to come together with our partners at the Colorado Department of Transportation for a total of $5.3 million in grant funding so the Jackson County airport has the infrastructure necessary to effectively serve the broader community. Investments like this demonstrate the state’s commitment to rural Colorado, and making strides so that the same safe, modern infrastructure is available everywhere.”
Shoshana Lew, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), commented: “CDOT and our Aeronautics Division are proud to have joined our partners at DOLA and Jackson County to collaborate on funding this impactful project at the Walden/Jackson County Airiport. As the primary airport for rural north-central Colorado, this new runway will allow the airport to continue to provide safe and efficient access for aerial firefighting operations, emergency air ambulance and other critical aviation services.”
