Haxtun, Colorado Takes Flight as 2026 Airport of the Year
When many travelers think about Colorado, their minds immediately turn toward towering mountains and famous ski resorts. But along Colorado’s Eastern Plains, communities like Haxtun quietly demonstrate that great destinations are built on hard work, innovation, and community pride.
This year, Haxtun has another reason to celebrate.
The Haxtun Municipal Airport (17V) has been named the 2026 Colorado Airport of the Year, recognizing years of thoughtful planning, careful investment, and outstanding stewardship of one of the town’s most important transportation assets.
A Small Airport Making a Big Difference
With fewer than 1,000 residents, Haxtun proves that community size does not determine community impact.
Since 2020, town officials have successfully completed multiple airport improvement projects using Colorado Division of Aeronautics grants. Rather than simply spending available funding, the town stretched every dollar by working with local contractors, utilizing recycled aviation equipment where appropriate, and keeping projects on schedule and within budget.
Among the recent improvements are:
- Runway pavement maintenance
- Upgraded runway lighting
- Taxiway reconstruction
- Enhanced helipad markings and lighting
Many of these improvements directly support emergency medical flights, allowing Flight For Life helicopters and other aircraft to reach Haxtun more safely when every minute matters.
More Than an Airport
For visitors exploring northeastern Colorado, Haxtun offers the relaxed pace that makes small town travel memorable.
Surrounded by productive farmland and wide open skies, the town reflects generations of agricultural heritage. Downtown features locally owned businesses, friendly faces, and historic buildings that tell the story of the communities that helped shape Colorado’s Eastern Plains.
Historic landmarks include:
- The former First National Bank of Haxtun, now serving as Town Hall
- The historic Shirley Hotel, one of the town’s best preserved commercial buildings
- Nearby agricultural landscapes that showcase the region’s farming history
Why This Award Matters
Colorado’s Airport of the Year award recognizes more than attractive facilities.
It honors leadership, fiscal responsibility, innovation, safety, and long term planning.
The Colorado Division of Aeronautics praised Haxtun for maximizing grant funding, completing projects efficiently, participating in statewide aviation planning, and maintaining an airport that serves both residents and visitors throughout the region.
A Worthwhile Stop in Eastern Colorado
Whether you’re interested in aviation, rural communities, local history, or simply discovering places that many travelers overlook, Haxtun offers an authentic Colorado experience.
Communities like Haxtun remind us that America’s best road trips are often defined not by famous attractions, but by the people who continually invest in making their hometowns stronger for future generations.
Congratulations to the Town of Haxtun and everyone whose dedication helped earn the 2026 Colorado Airport of the Year recognition.
Learn More
Learn more about the Town of Haxtun at Town of Haxtun.
Read the official award announcement from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
See Colorado DOT’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter).
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