Report: Colorado's ‘largest economic engine' generated billions for state economy
DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver International Airport is continuing to hold the title of Colorado's 'largest economic engine' after the 2025 Colorado Economic Impact Study results were released Monday by the Colorado Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics.
The study found that the airport contributed about $47.2 billion to the state's economy during 2023, which is a 40.9% increase from the previous study released in 2020. Additionally, the report found that DIA supported over 244,000 jobs and $15.9 billion in payroll during 2023.
Denver's airport releases new details and timeline for Great Hall project
Of that total revenue generated, $28.8 billion was created through on-airport activities and another $18.4 billion was generated by visitor spending.
'Denver International Airport fuels our economy, supports tens of thousands of jobs, and connects our city to the world,' said Mayor Mike Johnston in a DIA release celebrating the study's results. 'With every new flight, every new investment, and every traveler who chooses Denver, we reinforce our vibrant city as a leading destination for tourism, business, and economic success.'
Statewide, about $68.9 billion was reported in aviation business revenues. Of that, $23.5 billion went to payroll and supported over 348,000 jobs. The second largest airport in the state, the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, reported business revenue of almost $5.2 billion during 2023. The airport also supports over 34,800 jobs, according to the state report.
The state study looked at the direct impacts of the airport, which included airport administration, airport tenants, capital improvements, commercial visitor spending and general aviation visitor spending. Multiplier effects calculated by the study included portions of revenues used to purchase goods and services from Colorado businesses (supplier sales) and when income earned by workers in airport-supported jobs is spent at Colorado businesses (income re-spending). Total economic impacts add these two components together.
'Since opening thirty years ago this week, DEN's exponential passenger growth and emergence as a central hub in the global aviation market has contributed to it being a multi-billion-dollar economic engine for the Denver metro area, Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountain region. This is something we are incredibly proud of, and it's a responsibility we take seriously,' DIA CEO Phil Washington said in a release.
'We are focused on preparing the airport for the near future, when we anticipate exceeding 100 million annual passengers, and for the next 100 years, as the aviation field evolves,' Washington continued. 'As DEN grows, so too will Colorado's economy, through jobs, revenues, new development and industries created to leverage the connectivity and capabilities of DEN.'
Record breaking number of travelers passed through DIA in 2024
A 2022 study commissioned by DIA on the economic impact of the airport's 'Vision 100' strategic plan projected all included projects to be complete by 2032 and passenger levels will exceed 100 million annually.
'This near doubling of economic impact from 2021 to 2032 and the separate quantified impact of implementation of the Vision 100 infrastructure program demonstrates the tremendous power of DEN as a regional and statewide economic generator,' the airport said in a release Monday.
Last week, the airport released new details and a timeline for its Great Hall project, which is expected to wrap up in December 2027.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Denver proposes sweeping personnel changes to deal with 2026 deficit: "Like betrayal," says one city worker
The executive director of Denver's Office of Human Resources, Kathy Nesbitt, said Thursday the city's projected $200 million deficit in 2026 would likely mean "hundreds" of city workers will be laid off, necessitating dramatic changes in some city personnel rules. CBS The estimate of "hundreds" of workers being cut from their jobs marked the first time the city has provided a firm estimate of the number of layoffs the city will have to implement. Nesbitt has also unveiled proposed changes to a city personnel rule that provided job protection and seniority privileges for long term city workers. Career Service Rule 14 provided job protection for workers based on their years of service, and allowed them to move to other city positions if their position was cut. Nesbitt's proposed changes -- which are supported by Mayor Mike Johnston -- would do away with those protections and make it easier to lay off longer term city workers. "I will tell you," said Nesbitt, "I wouldn't be looking at this right now but for the budget deficit we are facing for 2026." Her agency said the proposed rule revisions are to make sure layoffs "are implemented in a more streamlined manner that is consistent with the merit-based career service personnel system ... The impact will be that layoffs will now be determined solely on performance instead of a combination of seniority and performance." The proposed changes will be the subject of a hearing June 18. "It does feel like a betrayal," said one veteran city worker, who asked their identity be concealed for fear of reprisals. "I think that it is a huge disservice to people who have dedicated their careers to the city. This is dismantling not only the seniority system but the right to be reinstated if you are laid off," said the city worker. Denver City Councilmember Amanda Sawyer said of the proposed rule changes, "I'm not thrilled about it but I think they're doing what has to be done." "Layoffs are hard. Changing rule 14 midstream feels like adding insult to injury for our staff. But it needs to be done," said Sawyer. It's unclear precisely how many city workers might be potentially impacted by the rule change, but the Office of Human Resources said the majority of current city workers had been hired in the last 10 years. Nesbitt said by Thursday afternoon, her office had started hearing from city workers about the proposed changes. "I would say about 75% are dissatisfied," said Nesbitt, who agreed the potential change likely feels "earth-shattering" for some city employees. The city has about 10,000 workers covered by career service rules.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business Insider
Southwest opens expanded cargo facility at Denver International Airport
Southwest (LUV) announced the grand opening of its expanded cargo facility at the Denver International Airport. The nearly 30,000 square foot warehouse brings a new level of hospitality to Southwest Airlines Denver-area cargo customers, with six loading docks enabling the Southwest Team to serve multiple customers at the same time, large storage areas throughout the facility, and twice the amount of cooler space than previously available for refrigerated products. Confident Investing Starts Here:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
DIA travelers happier with security screening since new checkpoint opened, airport says
DENVER (KDVR) — Customer satisfaction for security screening at Denver International Airport has improved since the opening of the airport's West Security Checkpoint in February 2024, the airport revealed Thursday. DIA said its score for 'ease going through security screening' improved by 13% to 4.2 out of 5, since the opening of the new checkpoint, while its 'waiting time: security screening' score rose 19% to a 4.18 out of 5. Measles exposure sites now include Denver, Glendale, Windsor grocery stores: List The data was collected from the DIA's Airport Service Quality quarterly service results. The survey measures passenger satisfaction across a number of airport experiences, DIA said. 'The ASQ data shows that DEN's Great Hall Project is already improving the overall experience of our airport. Once the East Checkpoint opens in August, we fully expect that passengers will find the process of going through security to be even easier,' DIA CEO Phil Washington said in a statement. The DIA's overall satisfaction score is 4.06 out of 5, as of March 2025, the airport said. The survey for overall satisfaction includes the experience of arriving at the airport, the check-in process, the security screening, border/passport control, the shopping and dining experience, cleanliness and comfort of gate areas, wayfinding, Wi-Fi, bathroom cleanliness and overall airport atmosphere. Littleton man missing since 2024 located in Colorado River nearly full year later Washington said he expects the satisfaction score to increase further once the airport is finished with the final phase of its Great Hall construction program, which involves a full build-out of the Jeppesen Terminal. 'By 2027, when Great Hall construction will be complete, the experience of going through security, meeting loved ones, and enjoying the Jeppeson Terminal's art, dining, and retail options will be transformative,' Washington said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
