Key Historical Dates

1950s: George M. Wallace, the visionary founder of the Denver Tech Center, begins laying the groundwork for what has become one of the nation's most prominent business parks. Recognizing the critical role an airport plays in supporting such a thriving economic center, Wallace emphasizes the importance of aviation access to the DTC's success.

1968:  May 12 – Grand opening of Centennial Airport (formerly Arapahoe County Airport).

1970:  Construction of crosswind Runway 10/28 is completed.

1975:  June 9 – The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority (ACPAA) is created.

1976:  Construction of parallel Runway 17R/35L (formerly Runway 16R/34L) is completed.

1984:  July 13 – Arapahoe County Airport officially changes its name to Centennial Airport.

 

1960s

1960: Arapahoe County and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) begin planning for a proposed reliever airport for Stapleton International Airport, to be located in Arapahoe County.

1963: Arapahoe County and the FAA announce proposal for new airport development.

1967: Construction begins on Centennial Airport (formerly Arapahoe County Airport), with $1.6 million from the Federal Airport Aid Program for the purchase of 380 acres of land.

Lou Clinton of Clinton Aviation signs a 30-year lease, becoming the airport’s first fixed base operator (FBO). Emily Howell, who would become first woman captain of a scheduled U.S. commercial airline, becomes the head of Clinton’s flight training program.

1968: May 12 – Grand opening of Centennial Airport (formerly Arapahoe County Airport). A reported 51,000 people attended the 3-day celebratory event. Aerobatic pilot, Dick Rutt, cut the first ceremonial ribbon with the wing tip of his plane over Runway 16/34 (now main Runway 17L/35R).

 

1970s

1970: Construction of crosswind Runway 10/28 is completed.

The airport purchases its first fire truck, a four-wheel drive airport vehicle, and an additional snowplow. Total cost: $48,550.

1973: George Wallace is appointed to head the new Executive Management Committee of the airport. The committee oversaw airport operations, general management, and development of additional facilities.

Construction on the first permanent Air Traffic Control Tower is completed. Total cost of the tower: $268,000.

1975: June 9 – The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority (ACPAA) is created during a public hearing under the Public Airport Authority Act, styling the airport as a separate, legal entity. Arapahoe County transferred the title to the airport land and improvements to the newly created political subdivision.

Centennial Airport (formerly Arapahoe County Airport) represents the nation at the 1975 Paris Air Show as the “best in American general aviation airports.”, citing its forward-thinking efforts of land use compatibility.

1976: Construction of parallel Runway 17R/35L (formerly Runway 16R/34L) is completed.

1979: George Wallace formally resigns as director of the airport's Executive Management Committee.

 

1980s

1980: William Fitzgerald is hired by the Airport Authority Board as the fulltime airport administrator.

1981: The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority adopts “Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Activity”, developed to regulate all commercial aeronautical activity. Land use guidelines are also adopted to control encroachment.

1983: The Air Traffic Control Tower becomes a 24-hour facility.

The FAA’s Denver Flight Service Station is dedicated.

1984: July 13 – Arapahoe County Airport officially changes its name to Centennial Airport. The name was adopted by the Airport Authority to reflect growth, as well as a hat tip to Colorado’s moniker as “Centennial State.”

Douglas County receives representation on the Airport Authority Board in the form of three newly added ex-officio commissioners.

1985: Construction of a new (current) Air Traffic Control Tower is completed.

 

1990s

1996: Centennial Airport becomes an international airport with the addition of U.S. Customs services.

1998:  The busiest year on record at Centennial Airport with 466,267 aircraft operations; averaging 1,189 operations per day.

1999: Centennial Airport loses federal funding after the Airport Authority Board refuses to lift its ban on scheduled passenger service. This is the result of a legal battle initiated by an entrepreneur who pushed to bring passenger service to the airport, taking the dispute to both the Colorado and U.S. Supreme Courts.

 

2000s

2000: Robert Olislagers is hired by the Airport Authority Board as the Executive Director/CEO.

2003: The Zero Seat Law, allowing Centennial Airport to prohibit scheduled service while also re-establishing federal funding, is signed into law by President George W. Bush. (Officially titled Public Law 108-7, Sec. 321).

 

2010s

2018: Centennial Airport celebrates its 50th anniversary with special guest Captain “Sully” Sullenberger.

 

2020s

2020: Construction on the new multi-purpose Administrative Building, the Hangar, is completed.

2021: Michael Fronapfel is hired by the Airport Authority Board as the Executive Director/CEO.

2022: Centennial Airport receives the Colorado Airport of the Year award by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics.

2023: Centennial Airport becomes the first airport in the state of Colorado to offer unleaded aviation fuel, UL94. The airport also self-funds two key initiatives: an STC Reimbursement Program for based aircraft and a subsidy to offset the cost difference between unleaded and low-lead fuel.

South Metro Fire Rescue dedicates two new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks for use at Centennial Airport, purchased as part of a funding collaborating between SMFR and the Airport Authority Board.

2024: In partnership with South Metro Fire Rescue, Centennial Airport becomes the first in the state of Colorado to implement fluorine-free firefighting foam into our ARFF trucks.