Hayden Economic Development Council

In the early 1960's with the increase of the energy and tourism industry in the valley, Hayden and the surrounding communities decided there was a growing need for transportaion in and out of the valley. These factors lead the communities to look at air service as a solution to a destination area transportation issue.

On June 7, 1966 ground breaking for the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (YVRA), just a mile and a half east of Hayden (HDN) located on Pleasent View Mesa in the heart of the Yampa Valley was created.

Air service continued from 7,000 to grow along with the skiing and travel industry and in 1986 the runway was increased to 10,000 feet to accommodate the larger aircraft such as the Boeing 757's and 767's. Due to the increase of air traffic, there was another major construction project in 1987-1988 to upgrade the terminal and taxiway.

Flights continued to increase and in the 1988-1989 winter flight seasons the YVRA was rated the the third busiest airport in Colorado. By 1992 passenger enplanements had increased to over 60,000 and the winter flight program haddaily non-stop flights coming from both the East and West coast. In 1995, year round service started when Mesa Airlines flying for United Express flew Dash 8 aircraft with several daily flights from DEN. United Express continues to operate year round service into HDN from DEN.

With the turn of the century, the airport continues to see a yearly increase  of the amount of aircraft and passengers coming and going out of the airport. Due to the continuing increase of flights from American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United Airlines, in 2003 the airport started construction of a 4,300 squar foot addition to its ticket lobby. This was the first phase of a three phase plan to increase the ramp area and imporve on the terminal. In 2004 the passenger enplanements had continued to increase reaching over 124,000 that year. This instituted the start of Phase II with the construction on both the ramp areas and an addition of 23,000 square feet to the terminal. Phase III will connect the upgrades from Phase I and Phase II construction of the terminal.

Yampa Valley Regional Airport continues to be the transportation heartbeat of the valley, with its non-stop flights that connect HDN and the Valley to many parts of the world.