New aviation training program signals broader growth in Pueblo’s aviation economy

A newly announced aviation maintenance training program backed by the State of Colorado is expected to create at least 45 new jobs in Pueblo County, but local leaders say the initiative represents something larger: a decade-long effort to position Pueblo as a regional center for aviation training, maintenance and aerospace-related economic development.

Gov. Jared Polis announced this week that the state will support the development of an Aviation Maintenance Technician program through Pueblo Community College, in partnership with the City of Pueblo and CAE Training Center. The program is designed to address a nationwide shortage of certified aircraft mechanics while strengthening Pueblo’s local workforce and airport infrastructure.

According to the state, the program is expected to create a minimum of 45 full-time aviation maintenance technician jobs over three years, with a median annual salary of about $79,140. Funding of $471,423 was approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission in November 2025 and will support staffing, equipment, renovations and curriculum development over two and a half years.

“This new grant will drive economic development in Pueblo County and prepare the Pueblo Memorial Airport for the future,” Polis said in a statement. “I’m excited to see the impact this funding will have in the community, expanding travel opportunities in Southern Colorado and creating good-paying jobs.”

Aviation activity beyond commercial flights

While Pueblo Memorial Airport has long struggled to sustain high levels of commercial passenger service, aviation activity at the airport has grown steadily in other sectors over the past decade.

Passenger enplanements at Pueblo Memorial Airport have fluctuated between about 8,000 and 10,000 per year, depending on airline service and market conditions. Most commercial flights connect Pueblo to Denver International Airport through the federal Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes routes in smaller markets.

Airport officials estimate that roughly 90 percent of local travelers still choose to drive to Denver or Colorado Springs for air travel, drawn by lower fares and a wider range of nonstop destinations.

Despite modest passenger numbers, Pueblo Memorial Airport is among the busiest airports in Colorado by aircraft operations. The airport logs more than 200,000 takeoffs and landings annually, driven largely by military flight training, general aviation, air taxi operations and private aircraft.

One of the most significant contributors is the U.S. Air Force Initial Flight Training program, operated in Pueblo by CAE. Each year, between 1,300 and 1,700 Air Force pilot candidates train at Pueblo Memorial Airport, making it a nationally significant military aviation site. Since the program began in 2006, more than 17,000 Air Force pilots have trained in Pueblo.

The continuous training schedule generates a steady flow of aircraft movements, instructors, maintenance staff and visiting trainees, creating economic ripple effects throughout the city.

Infrastructure investments at Pueblo Memorial Airport

Over the past 10 years, the City of Pueblo has invested heavily in airport infrastructure to support this level of aviation activity and to prepare for future growth.

In 2022, the city completed a comprehensive 20-year airport master plan outlining more than $90 million in potential improvements. While the plan does not anticipate large-scale commercial airline expansion, it emphasizes improvements for general aviation, military training, corporate aviation and aviation-related business development.

A major milestone came in 2024, when Pueblo Memorial Airport completed a full resurfacing of its primary runway, a 10,498-foot strip capable of handling large military and cargo aircraft. The project improved safety, extended the runway’s lifespan and strengthened its capacity for heavier aircraft.

Airport officials have also identified the passenger terminal as an area in need of modernization. Planned improvements include expanded seating, improved security screening areas, better accessibility and the addition of post-security restrooms and amenities. Design work is underway, and the city has discussed committing local funds to help match state and federal grants for future terminal upgrades.

On the private aviation side, the airport’s fixed-base operator has expanded facilities, hangar space and services to attract more corporate and general aviation traffic. Pueblo’s combination of long runways, favorable weather and lower operating costs has made it an attractive alternative for training flights and technical stops.

Workforce development and economic impact

The new Aviation Maintenance Technician program builds on an existing aviation workforce base in Pueblo and responds to a growing national need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aviation industry must fill approximately 12,000 aircraft mechanic positions annually as older workers retire and global air travel rebounds.

State officials say the Pueblo-based program is intentionally aligned with workforce transition efforts, particularly for former coal workers, veterans and recent high school graduates seeking stable, high-wage careers.

“The City of Pueblo is proud to work with community partners to start the Aviation Maintenance Technician program which utilizes the Pueblo Memorial Airport for job training,” Mayor Heather Graham said. “Pueblo is better when we all work together to improve our community.”

Pueblo Community College President Dr. Chato Hazelbaker described the program as a regional asset.

“Working with partners to bring high-wage jobs to students is at the heart of the Pueblo Community College mission,” Hazelbaker said. “The Aviation Maintenance Technician program is a win for the region.”

The college has committed to sustaining the program beyond the initial grant period, signaling long-term confidence in aviation as a growth sector.

PEDCO’s role in aviation growth

The Pueblo Economic Development Corp., or PEDCO, has identified aviation and aerospace as a targeted industry for more than a decade.

PEDCO has used voter-approved economic development funds to support major aviation-related employers, including the Air Force flight training program and aerospace manufacturing operations tied to national defense and space exploration.

In 2017, PEDCO partnered with the city to help secure a 10-year extension of the Air Force training contract, a deal valued at approximately $290 million. The agreement included local incentives that supported facility upgrades and job expansion, anchoring nearly 200 aviation jobs in Pueblo.

PEDCO has also worked to attract aerospace manufacturing to the region, including propulsion and testing operations connected to United Launch Alliance. These projects leveraged Pueblo’s available industrial land, skilled workforce and competitive operating costs.

Economic development officials say the new maintenance technician program complements those efforts by strengthening the local talent pipeline and making Pueblo more attractive to aviation employers seeking certified technicians.

Comparisons with other Colorado communities

Pueblo’s aviation strategy mirrors challenges and opportunities faced by other mid-sized Colorado cities.

Communities closer to Denver, such as Loveland and Colorado Springs, have also struggled to retain consistent airline service while investing in airport infrastructure and aerospace industry growth. In contrast, more remote airports like Grand Junction and Durango have seen higher passenger volumes due to limited alternatives.

What distinguishes Pueblo is the scale of noncommercial aviation activity. Few regional airports host a military training operation of Pueblo’s size while also supporting general aviation, maintenance training and aerospace manufacturing.

State economic development officials say this combination positions Pueblo as a specialized aviation hub rather than a traditional commercial airport.

Looking ahead

City and state leaders view the Aviation Maintenance Technician program as a foundation for future growth rather than a standalone project.

By aligning airport infrastructure investments, workforce development and economic incentives, Pueblo is working to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on a single industry.

As global aviation faces workforce shortages and technological change, Pueblo’s leaders believe the city’s long-standing relationship with aviation can translate into new opportunities.

For Pueblo Memorial Airport, the measure of success may not be passenger counts alone, but the number of skilled workers trained, businesses attracted and careers launched on the city’s runways.

Gregory Howell

Storyteller, curator and creative economy consultant, Gregory made his way to Pueblo via Tokyo to join a team of innovative physicians in the launch of a network of medical clinics in Colorado and Texas. Shortly after arriving in Pueblo, Gregory immediately realized the powerful and yet untold story of the new creative economy in one of America’s great industrial landscapes which was once dominated by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and the Nuckolls Packing Company. Over the years he has lectured extensively on the history, culture and the arts of Pueblo and is a strong advocate for adaptive reuse of historic properties, economic redevelopment and tourism. Currently you can find Gregory on the CSU Pueblo campus in the Media & Entertainment Department where he serves as an Adjunct Faculty teaching public relations, managing creative talent, and brands and advertising. When not in Pueblo, Gregory is most often lecturing and touring in Japan where he shares his lifelong passion for Japan and its people.