by Kenneth Maenpa, Airport Director
comments open from July 9 until July 28

It was the year that the 50-star American Flag debuted, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law and Ben-Hur won the Best Picture Oscar. That year also saw the first flights of the Piper Cherokee and the Beechcraft Baron. And, most shockingly, a gallon of gas was $.25 cents. This all happened 50 years ago, in 1960.

Closer to home, on July 30, 1960, opening ceremonies were held for the new Jefferson County Airport. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was on hand to give his “presidential blessing." The Airport opened with one-6000 foot runway, a 600 square foot hangar and 17 t-hangars.

There are been a lot of changes over the years. Here is a brief timeline of the Airport's History:
• 1964 – Crosswind Runway 2/20 constructed
• 1965 – US Forest Service opens a Tanker Base
• 1967 – Air Traffic Control Tower opens
• 1969 – National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) builds hangar
• 1980 – Rocky Mountain Energy locates headquarter at Airport – Later this becomes Ball Corp.
• 1984 – Air Show featuring the Thunderbirds
• 1987 – Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
• 1993 – Terminal Building opens
• 1995 – Airport gets a US Customs Office
• 1996 – Pilatus Business Aircraft established US Headquarters at Airport
• 1998 – Airport becomes a division of Jefferson County
• 2006 – Airport name changes to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
• 2011 – New Air Traffic Control Tower is scheduled to open
• You can see more on the Airport's history on the website.

Today, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport has three runways (the longest is 9,000 feet), over 50 businesses, and 240 hangars. The Airport generates 3,701 jobs and produces $129,447,900 in wages annually. With an economic impact of over $363 million, Metro Airport is a vital component to the surrounding communities and the regional transportation system.

Come help us celebrate 50 years at our Air Show on August 28 and 29. This event is fun for the entire family with aerial demonstrations by the Viper West F-16 Demo Team and the West Coast F-18 Hornet. Also, watch the excitement of Team Choas as two Planes and a Jet Truck race to Show Center with a surprising Explosive Ending that will BLOW YOU AWAY! And, don't miss the exciting fireworks show that will take place on Saturday evening. For more information please visit www.cosportaviation.org.