(The Center Square) – The Federal Aviation Administration has made a combined $23 million available for infrastructure upgrades at two Colorado airports.
The funding includes $15 million for Denver International Airport to “Increase the efficiency and capacity of its baggage handling system,” according to the office of U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado. It also includes $8 million for Colorado Springs Airport to, “Improve energy efficiency, ensure accessibility, and modernize gate areas,” a release said.
The funding comes from the Airport Terminals Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, supported.
Hickenlooper said funding the FAA just provided to Colorado exemplifies how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a job creator.
“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law keeps investing in Colorado and creating good-paying jobs,” Hickenlooper said. “This time by improving travelers’ experiences at both Denver International Airport and the Colorado Springs Airport. Giddy up!”
Meanwhile, Bennet said the funding will help improve the state’s economy.
“I’m grateful the FAA is supporting Colorado’s airports as they improve and modernize to meet our state’s changing needs,” Bennet said. “These dollars will help ensure our airports can continue to fuel our economy and better connect communities across our state.”
So far this year, the FAA has provided nearly $140 million to Colorado’s airports, according to the release.
President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into law in November 2021. The law made about $25 billion available for airport infrastructure improvements over five years.