10 Largest Airports in Colorado
Traveling will always be part of the human experience. Thanks to the colors and fun things to do, one of the best places to visit is Colorado. The Centennial State truly has something for everybody. Denver has great night life and an amazing bar scene. There are countless mountain towns to hike around and experience. Music fans flock to Red Rocks to experience some of the best artists and views during concerts. It’s also very easy to get to Colorado. There are many different airports to fly into. Most airports are accessible via Denver, that way you don’t have to rent a car if Denver isn’t your final destination. When flying into Colorado, make sure to check out these airports. These are the 10 biggest airports by size in Colorado.
Aspen/Pitken County Airport—573 Acres
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Flying into one of the jewels of Colorado is easier than you might think. In 1945, Aspen opened its own airport to help accommodate visitors. Driving to Aspen from Denver takes almost four hours, and that’s without traffic or snow. These days, some of the most famous people in the world fly in and have a relaxing weekend in the snowy winter or beautiful summer. More than 60,000 fly in every year. The 573 acre airport is continually expanding, with more and more people coming as its popularity continues to rise.
Eagle County Regional Airport—632 Acres
Eagle County is another airport in the mountains of Colorado. Those who fly in have easy access to ski resorts like Beaver Creek and Vail. Back in the 1950s, the Eagle County Airport was founded. This airport has also started to take off, thanks to many more people wanting to fly directly to the mountains. There’s even an exclusive, private lounge for those flying in who want a relaxing space before they leave for home. This 632 acre space has been evolving to keep its high standards up.
Yampa Valley Airport—671 Acres
Yampa Valley is an additional airport that serves a mountain area of Colorado. Steamboat Springs is quickly rising in popularity, thanks to the beautiful scenery, wonderful hikes, and refreshing hot springs. This airport matches what many flyers are looking for. There’s only one runway so it’s easy to take off, but the inside terminal has a cafe and comfy area to wait at. The Yampa Valley Airport has 671 acres of land to unwind at one last time before going home.
Montrose Regional Airport—966 Acres
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The Montrose Regional Airport sits almost directly between Grand Junction and Telluride. This airport is another on our list that has tons of options for eating and relaxing before flights. Flying in to Montrose means you’ll have the ability to visit the western part of Colorado. If you get there a little early, there’s a museum showcasing the history of this airport, which has been around since the 1940s. Keep this airport in mind if you’re thinking about visiting western Colorado in the near future.
Durango–La Plata County Airport—1,281 Acres
National Parks are meant to be admired and visited. The Durango–La Plata County Airport offers easy access to one of the most unique places in the country, the Four Corners. This is where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico all come together at one point, the only part of the United States this happens. This airport was first opened up in 1925 to help the United States Air Corps train. There’s a full sit-down restaurant in the airport and tons of space to lounge around until your flight takes off.
Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport—1,600 Acres
Sticking with our theme of mountain airports, the Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport comes in as the fifth largest in Colorado. This airport has 1,600 acres of shopping, restaurants, a lobby that welcomes pets, and areas to plop your feet up before takeoff. Interestingly enough, the Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport was first opened as a training school for pilots in the 1950s. It quickly was realized how valuable this would be as an actual airport that serves people, so it transitioned. Traveling to this airport will give you access to Crested Butte, one of the most highly touted ski resorts in Colorado.
San Luis Valley Regional Airport—1,700 Acres
While still popular today, the San Luis Valley Regional Airport was one of the most important airports in the history of Colorado. One of the reasons people flocked to Colorado early on is because of the mining available. This airport was opened in the late 1800s and helped those who were in the mining industry get back and forth. Today, the San Luis Valley Regional Airport is still very comfortable and appealing to those wanting to visit southern Colorado.
Grand Junction Regional Airport—2,357 Acres
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One of the hidden gems in Colorado that’s no longer hidden is Grand Junction. This town is one of the most spectacular you’ll find. There’s countless outdoors activities and wonderful scenery to take in. The best way to get here is by flying into the Grand Junction Regional Airport. Because of how quickly Grand Junction has taken off in popularity, the airport has done tons of renovations to keep up. There’s even a customs office for international travelers, proving just how popular it’s become. The inside of the airport might be just as wonderful as the outside, and that’s saying something.
Colorado Springs Airport—7,200 Acres
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To the south of Denver is Colorado Springs, another of the most popular and exploding cities in the United States. Colorado Springs is home to many outdoor parks, including Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and many more. There are tons of colleges in the city to get to and from. There’s also an Air Force base, including the campus of the United States Air Force Academy. If you’re looking for easy access to these things, flying into Colorado Springs is the way to go. When you fly in, you’ll be welcomed into the second largest airport in Colorado. Over 1.5 million people use this airport yearly, and there’s access to major cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
Denver International Airport—33,531 Acres
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The largest airport in Colorado also happens to be the largest in the United States, and it’s not close. The Denver International Airport covers 33,531 acres, almost double the size of second place. Over 60 million people fly in and out of this airport every year, as it’s one of the main airports used for connecting flights. Of course, there are tons of theories as to why this airport is the size that it is. The Denver International Airport has tons of excellent sit down restaurants and bars all inside the terminals. If you’re looking for a great place to relax and enjoy before a flight, the Denver airport is the place to be.
Summary of the 10 Largest Airports in Colorado
Rank | Airport | Size By Land Area |
10 | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport | 573 Acres |
9 | Eagle County Regional Airport | 632 Acres |
8 | Yampa Valley Airport | 671 Acres |
7 | Montrose Regional Airport | 966 Acres |
6 | Durango–La Plata County Airport | 1,281 Acres |
5 | Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport | 1,600 Acres |
4 | San Luis Valley Regional Airport | 1,700 Acres |
3 | Grand Junction Regional Airport | 2,357 Acres |
2 | Colorado Springs Airport | 7,200 Acres |
1 | Denver International Airport | 33,531 Acres |