Yampa Valley Regional Airport to Break Ground on $86M Terminal Expansion

The expansion will nearly double the size of the airport's terminal and add new jet bridges to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:15pm

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The Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Colorado is set to break ground this spring on an $86 million terminal expansion project that will nearly double the size of the existing terminal. The project aims to relieve pressure points like long check-in and TSA queues, and support the airport's growing passenger traffic, which has surged from 150,000 passengers per year pre-pandemic to over 450,000 annually today.

Why it matters

The terminal expansion is a critical infrastructure investment for the Yampa Valley region, which has seen rapid growth in air travel demand in recent years. The project will help the airport accommodate this growth and maintain its position as a key transportation hub for the area, supporting the local tourism economy.

The details

The expansion will add about 60,000 square feet to the terminal, including enlarged outbound baggage carousels, upgraded TSA screening, and four new jet bridge-equipped gates - a first for the airport. The design will feature a river motif and large picture windows showcasing the surrounding mountain scenery. The $86 million project will be funded through a mix of airport reserves, revenue bonds, and federal and state grants.

  • The final design documents were completed on January 27, 2026.
  • The county expects to sign final construction contracts in April 2026.
  • Ground is expected to be broken at the end of April or in early May 2026.
  • Construction is expected to take about 2 years, spanning the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 winter seasons.

The players

Tinneal Gerber

The director of the Yampa Valley Regional Airport, who took over the role in the summer of 2025 following the retirement of longtime Airport Director Kevin Booth.

The Weitz Co.

The construction manager selected for the terminal expansion project.

Woolpert

The engineering firm that worked on the terminal expansion design.

Gensler

The architectural firm that worked on the terminal expansion design.

Steve Muntean

The president of the Steamboat Springs City Council.

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What they’re saying

“With this expansion, it's just helping to move people and spread them out so it's more comfortable.”

— Tinneal Gerber, Airport Director

“Only Jackson Hole has more airlines and more flights than we do in terms of mountain resort towns. With this expansion, I think it will not only solidify what we currently have, but also help us as we have opportunities to add new locations and/or new airlines. This is exciting stuff.”

— Steve Muntean, City Council President

What’s next

The airport has already put the new jet bridges and a temporary baggage carousel needed during construction out to bid, and those contracts are expected to be approved by commissioners in the coming weeks. The airport is also negotiating Phase 2 of its business aviation park expansion.

The takeaway

The Yampa Valley Regional Airport's $86 million terminal expansion project is a major infrastructure investment that will help the airport accommodate rapid growth in passenger traffic and solidify its position as a key transportation hub for the region. The project's focus on enhancing the passenger experience and supporting future growth underscores the airport's importance to the local tourism economy.