Hayden Seeks $1M Grant for Airport Access Road

Routt County commissioners back town's bid for state energy impact funds to complete design work.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Routt County commissioners have agreed to support the town of Hayden's application for a $1 million state energy impact grant to help complete final design work on a new access road leading to Yampa Valley Regional Airport. The proposed roadway would create a direct link from U.S. Highway 40 to the growing aviation business park and airport, becoming the primary access route and allowing the existing County Road 51 to primarily serve the general aviation and business park areas.

Why it matters

The new access road is seen as key to managing future growth near the airport and Hayden's business park, as industrial and commercial parcels in the area continue to sell quickly. The project is also viewed as part of a larger effort to modernize the airport's entryway and improve signage along Highway 40.

The details

The town and its partners, including developer Tony Connell and CWH Properties, are hoping to accelerate work on the road design as development in the area expands. The existing County Road 51 already has many of the needed highway improvements in place, which should help reduce costs. The town of Hayden is also seeking county participation for the project, though the county prefers to preserve airport funds for direct operations and maintenance.

  • In 2024, Hayden installed a sewer line through the same corridor to serve the business park.
  • The town has been preparing for this road for several years.
  • The official letter of support was addressed to DOLA this week.
  • Final awards for this round of the DOLA program's grant cycle will be announced in May.

The players

Routt County Commissioners

The county commissioners agreed unanimously to support Hayden's grant application.

Tony Connell

A developer who is a partner in the project.

CWH Properties

The company that owns the land through which the new road would run.

Jay Harrington

The Routt County Manager who provided details about the project to the commissioners.

Tim Redmond

A Routt County commissioner who indicated support for the grant request but said private developers should also share in the eventual construction costs.

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What they’re saying

“With the speed of what lots are selling and the developments coming toward that park, that road probably needs to be accelerated. Otherwise, they're going to get stuck paying for improvements on (Routt County Road) 51 or (Routt County Road) 51A when this should be the main road anyhow.”

— Jay Harrington, Routt County Manager (steamboatpilot.com)

“When it comes to supporting that road, I'm in favor of it, but I would like to see private business at the table as well.”

— Tim Redmond, Routt County Commissioner (steamboatpilot.com)

What’s next

Final awards for this round of the DOLA program's grant cycle will be announced in May.

The takeaway

This project is seen as crucial for managing growth near the Yampa Valley Regional Airport and Hayden's business park, with the new access road serving as the primary route and allowing the existing county road to focus on general aviation and business park traffic. The collaboration between the town, county, and private developers highlights the regional importance of this infrastructure investment.