Fort Collins Downtown Airport

The primary reason for closure was twofold: urban encroachment and replacement by a superior facility. As the city of Fort Collins expanded, the airport became surrounded by residential and commercial development, making expansion impossible and raising safety concerns. Its runways were too short for the larger, faster aircraft becoming common in the 1960s. The newly constructed Fort Collins-Loveland Airport, located between the two cities, offered longer runways and modern facilities, effectively rendering the downtown airport obsolete.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped and shows no visible traces of its aviation past. The land is now occupied by a mix of public, residential, and commercial properties. Key landmarks on the former airport grounds include Edora Park, the Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), the Council Tree Public Library, and surrounding residential neighborhoods and commercial centers. The area is a vibrant part of the city, fully integrated into the urban landscape.

This airport was the original primary aviation hub for Fort Collins. Initially known as Christman Field, it was established in the 1920s. It served as a crucial center for general aviation, flight training, and private aircraft in Northern Colorado for several decades. The airport also handled scheduled commercial passenger service. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Monarch Air Lines (a direct predecessor to the original Frontier Airlines) operated Douglas DC-3 aircraft from the airport, providing vital connections to Denver, Cheyenne, and other regional destinations. Its operation was instrumental in connecting Fort Collins to the national air transportation network before the era of large regional airports.

There are zero prospects for reopening this airport. The land has been densely and permanently redeveloped for over 50 years. The presence of major public infrastructure, parks, and dense housing makes any attempt to re-establish an airport at this location physically impossible and economically unfeasible. The aviation needs of the region are fully served by the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL).