Denver's aviation infrastructure is about to receive its largest financial injection in years. On May 18, 2022, the City Council voted to approve a bill authorizing the issuance of up to $3.98 billion in subordinate revenue bonds for the Department of Aviation.
This massive funding package is designed to fuel a wide array of capital improvements at the airport, ranging from terminal upgrades to runway maintenance. Beyond new construction, the bonds will also refund existing airport debt and cover the administrative costs of the issuance itself, leveraging current market conditions to manage the city's long-term liabilities.
The legislation cleared its final legislative hurdle on May 18, with the full Council set to review the measure during its last regularly scheduled meeting on May 27, 2022. Once finalized, these funds will begin flowing into projects that directly impact the 700,000 residents of Denver and the millions of travelers who pass through the city's main gateway.
This approval represents a critical step in the airport's multi-year capital plan. While specific project timelines and individual construction contracts will follow, this bond authorization provides the necessary capital framework to execute them without relying solely on annual operating budgets.
Residents interested in the details of the airport's capital plan or wishing to track future spending can attend public meetings related to this matter at Denver City Hall. For the full text of the legislation and voting records, visit the city's official portal: https://denver.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=21637.