The Division of Aeronautics has expressed interest in a fresh start to the CASP. Past CASP performance measures did not provide ties to the CDOT Statewide Transportation Plan 2040, Transportation Matters. Accordingly, the updated 2018 CASP will consider the 2040 transportation plan in establishing goals, objectives, and performance measures in addition to being tailored to meet the Division of Aeronautics’ needs. System indicators will also be analyzed that provide additional information on the system’s ability to achieve the established goals.

A system-wide inventory will be conducted to collect data pertaining to each airport in the study. Data collection will be amassed from existing data sources as well as from primary data collected on-site throughout the study. Primary on-site data will be collected from airport managers, airport tenants, and affiliated or impacted businesses.

It is important to identify and explore aviation and non-aviation issues that have the potential to impact the aviation system. Once identified, the issues can be considered in the analysis of the system’s needs as well as subsequent elements including development of recommendations.

Coordination with other modal divisions within Colorado will be used to generate additional data regarding modal accessibility and regional interconnectivity.

This section of the CASP will provide an early evaluation of potential environmental concerns, with the objective of identifying alternatives, and may identify the need for additional environmental analysis for projects at a particular airport.

The CASP needs to consider future aviation demand where future growth of the system can most likely be anticipated and what type of growth is realistic at airports throughout the state. The forecasting process in the CASP will focus on developing long-term projections that reflect the future need for aviation facilities.

The FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) identifies nearly 3,400 existing and proposed U.S. airports that are significant to national air transportation and thus eligible to receive Federal grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). As part of the CASP, Colorado Airports will be analyzed and categorized considering the services and facilities each provides according to NPIAS guidelines to determine their role in the overall state system.

The system’s adequacy is determined by evaluating performance, starting with existing conditions. While most of the analysis focuses on performance measures and system indicators, additional analysis of service areas, general mobility, capacity, and accessibility also factor into evaluating the adequacy of Colorado’s airport system.

Planning for alternative scenarios allows for preemptive strategies to be considered and identified in the event that significant changes occur in the State’s aviation system. Given the broad-base of the CASP, the alternatives analysis is a useful tool in examining scenarios that could take place, understanding their potential impact on the system, and identifying potential recommendations or solutions for these scenarios.

Public consultation is critical to gathering of relevant and pertinent information and ensuring widespread opportunities for input and feedback. The CASP will incorporate public feedback through stakeholder interviews; meetings with CDOT modal managers, regional planning organizations, and emergency service providers; attendance and presentations at Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) conferences and public meetings; and through the continued maintenance of this project website.

System-wide funding needs will be determined based on the analysis of the future system performance, with an emphasis on the system, not individual airports, to assist in analyzing the overall system’s financial health. An implementation plan will also be developed with specific guidance on recommended steps to ensure action and maximize resources.

The CASP Update will culminate with multiple deliverables that can be used by a variety of audiences to understand the analysis, findings, recommendations, and next steps to continue planning and monitoring the Colorado aviation system’s needs. Specific CASP deliverables to be provided include a Technical Report, Executive Summary Brochure, integration of data into CDOT’s Web-Based Information Management System (WIMS), individual airport reports, and integration of Real Life Stories that will be woven throughout all deliverables to illustrate the importance of the Colorado aviation system and its individual airport contributions.