Our Air Traffic Control Tower replacement project is making great progress, with groundbreaking taking place this month. The current 50-foot tower, built in 1954, is being replaced with a new 157-foot tower to meet modern aviation safety standards. This project is part of C/NCIA’s goal of maintaining modern equipment and infrastructure to improve operations, passenger safety, and the overall airport experience.

With funding secured and design completed, the new tower is expected to be fully constructed in early 2028. The total project cost is just under $30 million, with $14 million of that requested as Federal funding. After a competitive bid process, Sampson Construction was selected as the contractor for the project in July.

What is needed for a new Air Traffic Control Tower?

An Air Traffic Control Tower requires thoughtful, intentional planning for the safety of all flights coming in and going out. Several assessments were made in the planning of this project:

  • Location Assessments: Determining where the new tower could reasonably be located to ensure it provides the needed visuals for controllers (look-down angle, for example), while at the same time ensuring it doesn’t interfere with future airport growth.
  • Wind Assessments: Ensuring the tower could both stand at the desired height and withstand Wyoming wind from a variety of directions without impacting surrounding lower buildings.
  • Layout Planning: Designing the tower interior (cab) to meet the needs of the air traffic controllers, including placing support beams in areas that would not obstruct views and the best placements of their equipment. This portion of planning was done in collaboration with our air traffic controllers and project engineers.

These assessments helped guide several decisions throughout the design phase of the project. For instance, the tower location was moved away from the current building’s site to ensure adequate visibility of the airfield by FAA staff. Along with visibility, the tower’s height requires more distance from the airfield to comply with safety standards while ensuring proper views of all taxiways, runways, and ramp areas. The tower’s height also provides a better vantage point to spot aircraft both in the air and on the ground, allowing controllers to provide better guidance to pilots.

Designing, sighting, funding, and constructing an air traffic control tower is not for the faint of heart, as it takes extensive planning and collaboration. The Airport is grateful for the support it has received from the community along the way. From reviews of designs to guidance on funding applications, the project has been made possible because so many people, partners, and organizations have stepped up to help.

“We are deeply appreciative of everyone who has had a hand in the project thus far and look forward to the next phases,” says Airport Director Glenn Januska.

Groundbreaking Event Recap

On Friday, August 14th, C/NCIA celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking of our new Air Traffic Control Tower. The event brought together current and former board members, state and U.S. representatives, including Harriet Hageman, county commissioners, the FAA and Denver District representatives, community partners, and many others who have helped bring this project to life.

Speakers highlighted how far aviation and C/NCIA have come since the existing tower was built over 70 years ago. They highlighted that, when this tower was built in 1954, aviation had been around for less than 50 years since the Wright brothers built and flew the world’s first controlled, powered airplane in 1903. The new technology, expanded space, and modern capabilities of the new facility will provide a better experience for everyone and will attract more air traffic controllers. County Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen also spoke about the tower’s importance to the community, noting that it will better support both passenger travel and cargo operations.

As Airport Director Glenn Januska shared, “More than four years of planning, funding, design, coordination, and hard work have brought us here.” The groundbreaking was a chance to recognize the hundreds of people who have played a role in moving this project forward.

We look forward to sharing continued updates as the project progresses. Keep an eye out for special announcements and events in the lead-up to the opening of the new tower.