Fly Far via Colorado’s 13 Commercial Airports

[Landing approach at Telluride Regional Airport. Photo: kimley-horn.com] Colorado is a year round destination for adventure seekers, with travelers heading to all parts of the state for their thrill. It makes sense there are commercial airports spread around the Rocky Mountains and the Front Range where all the tourists go.

The Centennial State is home to 14 commercial airports, only 1 of which flies international and the rest are regional. However only 13 of them currently offer commercial flights. All 12 regional airports with commercial flights provide year round daily flights to Denver International Airport (DEN), aka D.I.A.

Save time and stress driving to your Rocky Mountain vacation by flying direct from Denver. Or skip D.I.A. entirely if possible and fly direct to a number of regional airports from various cities around the country.

Regional and International Commercial Airports in Colorado

Statistically flying is safer than driving. Add in the cost of gas and time spent behind the wheel, and it’s often a smarter choice to fly. With regional airports near many popular ski towns such as Steamboat Springs, Vail, Aspen and Telluride, it’s easy to leave the transportation to someone else entirely. Or just rent a car when you get there if you must. Colorado has plenty of choices for both public and private transportation.

As mentioned 13 of Colorado’s 14 commercial airports actually offer commercial flights. Omitted from the list for this reason is Loveland’s Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL). While it had commercial flights in the past, its close proximity to D.I.A. makes them unnecessary. Instead it has a few vacation charters that depart from FNL, such as a one to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Most of Colorado’s regional airports have more than one airline operating out of it. Most common are United Airlines and American Airlines flights, then Delta Airlines. Boutique Airlines flies from a number of smaller airports. One you land at one of these airports, there are a variety of transportation options available From renting your own automobile, to catching a bus or private shuttle, you’ll be arriving at your final destination soon after.

All direct nonstop flight below are subject to change.

Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

Just four miles from downtown Aspen, which means the ski slopes too, lies the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. Winter is the busy season with three airlines offering flights: Delta Connection, American Eagle, and United Express. The last two American and United offer flights year round. It’s a city and county owned airport, Pitkin County.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver (DEN)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
• Atlanta (ATL)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Minneapolis/Sain Paul
• Salt Lake City (SLC)

Winter direct nonstop flights:

• Chicago–O’Hare (ORD)
• Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX)
• Houston–Intercontinental (IAH)
• San Francisco (SFO)

View the daily arrivals/departures at ASE.

Colorado Springs Peterson Field Airport (COS)

The second busiest airport in Colorado is the Colorado Springs Airport. It’s located about 15 minute drive from The Springs downtown. Four commercial airlines operate out of COS: American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, and United. Together they have 13 flights to direct nonstop destinations throughout the year.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Chicago (ORD)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Denver (DEN)
• Houston (IAH)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)

Summer direct nonstop flights:

• Atlanta (ATL)
• Minneapolis/Saint Paul (MSP)
• San Antonio (SAT)
• Washington D.C. (IAD)

View daily arrival/departures at COS.

Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ)

Located in the Four Corners Region, the Cortez Municipal Airport operates one commercial airline year round. Boutique Air Direct flies direct to 3 destinations, 1 in Colorado and 2 in Arizona. Durango, Telluride and Montrose also offer commercial airline access to Southwest Colorado.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX)
• Show Low (SOW) in Navajo County, Arizona

View the daily departure/arrivals at CEZ.

Denver International Airport (DEN)

As Colorado’s only international airport, DEN departs direct to 13 countries, as well as 12 commercial airports in Colorado. Denver flies direct nonstop to 26 international and over 160 domestic destinations. It’s one of the largest domestic hubs in the U.S. and the nation’s largest airport in terms of surface area. From the airport you can reach downtown via the A Line train in 45 minutes.

Year round direct nonstop international flights:

• Reykjavik, Iceland
• London Heathrow, England
• London Gatwick, England
• Paris, France
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Munich, Germany
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Tokyo, Japan
• Hawaii, 4 Cities
• Mexico, 9 Cities
• Liberia, Costa Rica
• Panama City, Panama

View flights and airlines at DEN.

Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)

Summer is peak season for the Durango-La Plata County Airport. It provides access for the railroad town of Durango and the Four Corners Region. American and United airlines operate year round, 3 year round route and 3 summer routes. The airport is about a 20 minute drive from the historic downtown.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver
• Phoenix
• Dallas/Fort Worth

Summer direct nonstop flights:

• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Houston

View the daily arrival/departures at DRO.

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)

During the heart of the winter ski season, Eagle County Regional Airport becomes the 2nd busiest airport in the state. Combined American, Delta and United airlines at EGE fly to 14 destinations in the winter and 2 year round. Situated 36 miles west of Vail and ## miles west of Beaver Creek, EGE delivers snow seekers to two of Colorado’s finest resorts.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

Winter direct nonstop flights:

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Salt Lake International Airport (SLC)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

Grand Junction holds Colorado’s third largest airport. Located 4 miles from downtown, the Grand Junction Regional Airport averages 16 flights per day. There are 5 nonstop destinations flown year round and 1 more in the summer. Airlines include American, Delta, United, Allegiant, and Denver Air Connection.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver, CO
• Dallas, TX
• Phoenix, AZ
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Las Vegas, NV
• Centennial Airport in Denver, CO

Seasonal direct nonstop flights:

• Los Angeles, CA

Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)

Located only 1 mile from downtown Gunnison, this airport accesses the middle of Colorado’s Rockies. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is only 30 miles from the ski slopes of Crested Butte, making winter the busiest time of year at the airport. Year round you can fly on United Airlines at GUC, while American Airlines operates season winter flights.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Winter direct nonstop flights:

• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

The Montrose Regional Airport is one of the busiest on the Western Slope with a slew of airlines offering flights. Winter is the most popular season with 11 nonstop flights offered on four airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, and United airlines. THere are 5 nonstop flights in the summer. All in addition to their 2 year round destinations.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Dallas/Fort Worth

Summer direct nonstop flights:

• Chicago (ORD)
• Houston (IAH)
• Phoenix (PHX)

Winter direct nonstop flights:

• Atlanta (ATL)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Houston (IAH)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• New York (EWR)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)
• San Francisco (SFO)

Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB)

While Pueblo mainly uses its airport for general aviation, though there is 1 commercial airline operating: United Airlines. Year round you can fly to and from Denver International Airport via Pueblo Memorial Airport. It’s located about 15 minutes driving from downtown Pueblo. The terminal is open 4:30am to 10pm every day.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)

San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS)

Situated 2 miles from downtown Alamosa, the San Luis Valley Regional Airport offers year round flights to two nearby international airports. There are 3 flights daily to Denver and 1 flight daily to Albuquerque. Boutique Air runs all the flights on its upscale Pilatus PC-12, with all the amenities like power chargers and leather seats, with no baggage fees.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)

Telluride is home to one of the most stunning and terrifying runway approaches at any commercial airport. Located on top of Dove Creek Mesa, Telluride Regional Airport is known for its challenging winter landing caused by excessive winds and mountains on either side. Plus the 1,000 foot cliffs on either end. Boutique Air operates year round flights to and from Denver International Airport.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)

Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)

Located between Craig and Steamboat Springs in Hayden, the Yampa Valley Regional Airport is Northwest Colorado’s only commercial airport Airlines operating out of HDN include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jetblue, and United Airlines. There are a wide array of domestic destinations year round from this airport.

Year round direct nonstop flights:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Washington Dulles
• Newark NJ
• Houston TX
• Chicago IL
• San Francisco CA
• Los Angeles CA
• San Diego CA
• Seattle WA
• Dallas/Fort Worth TX
• Chicago IL
• Minneapolis MN
• Atlanta GA
• Long Beach CA
• Boston MA
• Fort Lauderdale FL

Visit the daily arrivals/departures.