b'52 GWS GENERAL AVIATION Glenwood Springs MunicipalBecomes KGWS Sumers Airpark, With New Nonprofit Management BY MICHELLE GARDNERFACTS&FIGURES Project: Novel Airport Management StructureLocation: KGWS Sumers Airpark, in Glenwood Springs, CO (formerly Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport)Owner: City of Glenwood SpringsManaged by: KGWS Sumers Airpark, a 501(c)(4)When a small general aviationFor years, Glenwood Springs Municipal nonprofit groupairport closes, its often a short- Airport (GWS) in Colorado faced these Nonprofit Board: 7 members5 pilots, 1 non-pilot term news story in the localissues and more. However, it continues to & 1 city council liaisoncommunity it serves but the impactsoperatenow under the management of a Airport Footprint: About 64 acres, at an elevation ofare long-lasting for aircraft operatorsnewly formed nonprofit entity. 5,916 ft.and the surrounding regional aviation Current Infrastructure: 3,305 ft. x 50 ft. asphaltsystem. Demand for hangar space, flightWhere it All Startedrunway (without control tower); 12,000-gal 100LL tank;for life missions, flying lessons and otherGWS was established in 1937 on land 12,000-gal Jet A tank services does not disappear with andonated by local families. The Sumers Annual Operations: 5,000 airport that closes. Common reasons forfamily provided the most acreage, with Based Aircraft: 60 closures include insufficient financial andthe proviso that if the city wanted to use Project Timeline: Initial discussions about turning overmanagement resources, perceptions thatthe land for anything other than an airfield, management to nonprofit group began in 2022; associatedthe airfield only benefits pilots and politicalownership would revert back to the donors. 20-year lease & concession agreement took effect May 1,decisionmakers eyeing airport property forHowever, this condition was not recorded 2024, following city council vote; former airport managerother uses. officially, and decades later, the city of returned July 2024; directors of nonprofit will be elected Jan. 2025Glenwood Springs began looking at other January | February 2025AirportImprovement.com'