GRAND JUNCTION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION
Transforming Western Colorado’s Economic Future
The Problem: The Western Slope has no major airport. Grand Junction Regional is too small for significant commercial or cargo operations. This single infrastructure gap stunts business growth, limits tourism, and forces all economic activity through Denver – a 4+ hour drive that kills business opportunities.
The Solution: Transform Grand Junction Regional into Grand Junction International Airport – a major commercial and cargo hub that unlocks the Western Slope’s massive economic potential.
COMPREHENSIVE AIRPORT TRANSFORMATION
Phase 1: Commercial Expansion (Years 1-3)
- New Terminal: 200,000 sq ft modern facility, 12 gates
- Runway Extension: 12,000 ft runway handles large commercial aircraft
- Direct Routes: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle daily flights
- Investment: $200 million
- Impact: 1,500 construction jobs, 800 permanent airport jobs
Phase 2: Cargo and Business Hub (Years 2-4)
- Cargo Facilities: 150,000 sq ft cargo handling, refrigerated storage
- Business Aviation: Executive terminal, maintenance hangars
- Air Traffic Control: Advanced radar systems, extended operating hours
- Investment: $150 million
- Impact: Western Slope becomes distribution hub for entire region
Phase 3: Economic Integration (Years 3-5)
- Logistics Campus: 500-acre development adjacent to airport
- Rail Connection: High-speed rail stop at airport for seamless Denver connection
- Hotel and Conference: 300-room business hotel, 50,000 sq ft conference center
- Investment: $150 million
- Impact: Complete business ecosystem supporting 5,000+ jobs
ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IMPACT
Business Attraction and Retention:
- Hemp Manufacturing: Direct air cargo for national/international distribution
- Film Industry: Talent and equipment fly directly to Western Slope locations
- Energy Companies: Executive access without Denver detour
- Tech and Finance: Companies consider Western Slope locations with direct flights
- Tourism: Ski resorts accessible without 3+ hour Denver drive
Job Creation Projections:
- Year 1: 2,500 direct airport and construction jobs
- Year 3: 8,000 jobs (airport + attracted businesses)
- Year 5: 15,000 total jobs (multiplier effect from business relocation)
- Year 10: 25,000 permanent jobs across all sectors
Regional Economic Impact:
- Business Relocations: 50+ companies move operations to Western Slope
- Tourism Growth: 2 million additional visitors annually by Year 5
- Real Estate Values: 20-30% increase in Grand Junction metro area
- Tax Revenue: $100 million additional annually for Mesa County and Colorado
CARGO AND LOGISTICS HUB
Colorado’s Western Distribution Center:
- Hemp Products: $2 billion hemp economy needs air cargo distribution
- Agricultural Exports: Colorado beef, produce, dairy to national markets
- Mining and Energy: Equipment and materials transport
- E-Commerce: Amazon, FedEx, UPS regional distribution centers
- International Trade: Direct cargo flights to Mexico, Canada
Strategic Location Advantages:
- Equidistant: Halfway between Denver and Salt Lake City
- Low Congestion: No major airport competition within 300 miles
- Land Availability: Room for massive cargo and logistics expansion
- Energy Access: Abundant natural gas and renewable energy for operations
INTEGRATED TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
Connecting Rail, Air, and Road for Maximum Economic Impact
Seamless Multi-Modal Transportation:
Grand Junction Hub Integration:
- Airport-Rail Connection: High-speed rail station at Grand Junction International
- Passenger Flow: Fly into Grand Junction, take rail to Denver in 2 hours
- Cargo Integration: Rail carries cargo containers from airport to Front Range
- Business Efficiency: Executives fly in, take rail to meetings, return same day
Front Range Connections:
- DIA Integration: High-speed rail connects DIA to entire Front Range network
- Regional Airports: Improved ground transport to Colorado Springs, Fort Collins
- International Gateway: Colorado becomes major inland transportation hub
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Business Location Decision Factors:
- Workforce Access: Rail connects talent across Colorado
- Market Access: Airport provides national/international reach
- Cost Advantages: Lower Western Slope real estate with Front Range connectivity
- Quality of Life: Mountain recreation accessible to business centers
Industry-Specific Benefits:
Hemp and Cannabis Industry:
- Production: Western Slope land and climate advantages
- Processing: Large facilities possible with lower land costs
- Distribution: Airport cargo hub for national shipping
- Regulation: State oversight easier with transportation infrastructure
Entertainment and Film:
- Location Diversity: Productions access both urban and mountain settings
- Talent Pipeline: Actors/crew fly directly to locations
- Equipment Transport: Large cargo capacity for film industry needs
- Cost Savings: Western Slope locations cheaper than California
Energy Transition:
- Renewable Development: Wind/solar projects with efficient transport access
- Traditional Energy: Continued oil/gas operations with better logistics
- Technology Integration: Clean tech companies can access natural resources
- Workforce Development: Training programs accessible statewide
FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Total Investment: $26.5 Billion Over 8 Years (Including Grand Junction Aiirport)
High-Speed Rail System: $26 billion
- Phase 1 Front Range Rail: (Denver-Boulder-Fort Collins): $2.42 billion
- Phase 2 Front Range Rail: (Denver-Colorado Springs): $2.94 billion
- Phase 3 (Western Slope Connection): $18.8 billion
Grand Junction International Airport: $500 million
- Commercial Expansion: $200 million
- Cargo and Business Hub: $150 million
- Economic Integration: $150 million
Funding Sources:
- Federal Infrastructure Grants: $18.2 billion (40%)
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding
- High-speed rail federal programs
- Airport improvement grants
- State Investment: $15.1 billion (33%)
- Transportation bonds backed by projected economic growth
- Economic development financing
- Public-Private Partnerships: $12.2 billion (27%)
- Airline investments in routes and facilities
- Real estate development partnerships
- Cargo and logistics company investments
Implementation Timeline:
Years 1-2: Foundation and Planning
- Secure federal funding commitments
- Complete environmental impact studies
- Begin land acquisition and permitting
- Start Grand Junction airport Phase 1 construction
Years 3-5: Major Construction Phase
- Front Range rail Phase 1 construction
- Grand Junction airport operational
- Begin Western Slope rail construction
- Major job creation period (35,000 peak construction jobs)
Years 6-8: Completion and Integration
- Front Range rail operational
- Western Slope rail completion
- Full integrated network operational
- Economic impact analysis and optimization
Economic Return on Investment:
Direct Economic Impact:
- Construction Jobs: 35,000 peak employment
- Permanent Operations: 15,000 ongoing jobs
- Business Attraction: $5 billion in new business investment
- Tourism Growth: $2 billion additional annual revenue
Tax Revenue Growth:
- State Income Tax: $300 million annually from new jobs
- Property Tax: $200 million annually from development
- Sales Tax: $150 million annually from increased economic activity
- Total ROI: 3.2x return on investment over 20 years
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS
Carbon Reduction Impact:
- Vehicle Miles Reduced: 3.5 billion annually across both rail systems
- CO2 Reduction: 1.5 million tons annually
- Air Quality: Significant improvement in Front Range air quality
- Energy Efficiency: Electric rail 4x more efficient than car transport
Sustainable Construction:
- Renewable Energy: Solar/wind power for rail operations
- Green Building: LEED certification for all stations and airport facilities
- Environmental Protection: Wildlife corridors maintained through mountain construction
- Local Materials: Colorado steel, concrete, and construction materials prioritized
POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Statewide Unity:
- Front Range Benefits: Reduced traffic, increased mobility options
- Western Slope Benefits: Major economic development and connectivity
- Rural Communities: New economic opportunities along rail corridors
- Urban Areas: Reduced congestion and pollution
National Leadership:
- Infrastructure Innovation: Colorado becomes model for mountain state transportation
- Economic Development: Proof that infrastructure investment drives job creation
- Environmental Leadership: Major carbon reduction achievement
- Political Success: Bipartisan project creating jobs in every district
Vision Statement: “This isn’t just transportation infrastructure – this is Colorado’s economic transformation. When we connect every corner of our state to opportunity, we unlock potential that’s been waiting decades to be realized. The Western Slope won’t be an afterthought – it will be Colorado’s newest economic powerhouse.”
The Bottom Line: While other politicians talk about connecting communities, I’m building the infrastructure that transforms Colorado into a unified economic powerhouse where your zip code doesn’t determine your opportunity.
