Taking your airport experience
to new elevations
The Colorado Springs Airport serves as the gateway to the Colorado Springs community, welcoming more than two million travelers annually. Our goal is to ensure the airport accurately reflects our community, especially its breadth, diversity, and evolution. Because of that, COS is embarking on a three-year project, ElevateCOS, that will renovate the airport’s concourse, making your airport more modern, accessible, and sustainable in the process.
Increasing Sustainability and Accessibility
Making the terminal more inclusive and efficient.
Improving Amenities
New food and retail options in conjunction with our concessionaires, the Hudson Group and SSP America
Updating aging infrastructure
New LED lighting, terrazzo flooring, bathroom upgrades, larger hold rooms, charging stations, airline gate counters and more!
in store
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done so far
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Frequently Asked Questions
Project Details
1. Why is this concourse modernization happening?
The Colorado Springs Airport terminal building was built in 1994 and has not been updated since the public side of the airport was modernized after the 2018 terminal fire. The concourse (post security) has remained untouched since the terminal building was originally constructed and renovations are needed to ensure the airport remains accessible and functional for all travelers.
2. What physical upgrades will take place under ElevateCOS?
ElevateCOS will include:
- New LED lighting
- New carpet and terrazzo flooring
- New gate counters, podiums and larger hold rooms
- Raised soffits and new ceilings
- Increased sustainability
- Increased accessibility
- New food court and retail areas in conjunction with the Hudson Group and SSP America
- Updated Premier Lounge
3. How will ElevateCOS make the airport more accessible and efficient?
Accessibility
We’d like COS to be easily accessible and stress-free for all travelers. During this project COS will improve the following:
- Restrooms redesigned to meet current ADA guidelines (including adult changing stations, wider stalls, and lower lavatories)
- Listening loop in all hold rooms tied to the PA system with higher audibility
- Accessible ramp redesign at concourse entrance
- Meet current ADA guidelines by lowering handheld devices and equipment to include charging stations
- Video screens at more accessible viewing angle
Sustainability
We want to do all we can to become as energy efficient and environmentally conscious as possible. During ElevateCOS we will improve the following:
- Lighting controls with self-dimming feature when direct sunlight is coming into the concourse
- Exterior windows will have better glazing and frames to help conserve HVAC usage
- All LED, energy-efficient lighting
- Mechanical upgrades for better thermal comfort, energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- Water efficient plumbing fixtures to conserve water usage
4. When is this project expected to be completed?
ElevateCOS will begin in September of 2023 and is currently estimated to conclude in May of 2026. The project phases are detailed further down on this page.
5. How is ElevateCOS being funded?
ElevateCOS is not funded by taxpayer dollars. All costs for the project come from grant funds or airport revenue. Read more about the financial details here.
6. What is the Colorado Springs Airport economic Impact?
According to the most recent Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Springs Airport is responsible for over 25,000 jobs and $3.4 billion in business revenue.
Travel
1. Will the airport be open and operational during construction?
Yes! The airport will remain open and operational the duration of ElevateCOS. There will be select closures throughout the concourse during different project phases, but restrooms, retail, food and beverage options, and your favorite airlines will always be available.
2. What will close during construction?
You can look at the ElevateCOS phasing plan here. Over the course of the project, certain amenities, concessions, food and beverage locations, and restrooms will be temporarily closed. Please note, if something is closed there will still be other options available during that timeframe.
3. How early should I arrive?
We always suggest arriving at least 90 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart, and two hours during peak travel times (summer, holidays, etc.). With construction, we recommend arriving slightly earlier than you normally do to allow yourself time to navigate any changes in the concourse.
Project
Timeline
- Gates 2 and 4 — COMPLETE
- Bathroom upgrades (south) — COMPLETE
- Bathroom upgrades (north)
- Gates 6, 8 and 10
- Lounge space in conjunction with Global Lounge Network (estimated completion date by the end of 2024)
- Gates 9, 11, 12
- Retail space in conjunction with the Hudson Group
- Gates 5 and 7
- Food court in conjunction with the SSP America
- Gates 1 and 3
- Raise soffits and new ceilings
- Concourse entry and exit ramp
- Terrazzo flooring throughout concourse
Financials
ElevateCOS is estimated to cost $36 million. The breakdown of funding includes:
PLEASE NOTE THAT no taxpayer dollars WILL BE USED TO FUND ELEVATECOS
Accessibility
Our intention is for COS to be easily accessible and stress-free for all travelers. During this project COS will improve the following:
- Restrooms redesigned to meet current ADA guidelines (including adult changing stations, wider stalls, and lower lavatories).
- Listening loop in all the hold rooms that is tied into PA system with higher audibility.
- Accessible ramp redesign at concourse entrance.
- Lower handheld devices and equipment to include charging stations that meet current ADA guidelines.
- Video screens at more accessible viewing angle.
Sustainability
Our intention is to do all we can to become as energy efficient and environmentally conscious as possible. During ElevateCOS we will improve the following:
- Lighting controls that include self-dimming feature when direct sunlight is coming into the concourse.
- Smart windows that will offer daylight and views with less glare and reduced energy use.
- All LED, energy-efficient lighting.
- Mechanical upgrades for better thermal comfort, energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
- Water efficient plumbing fixtures to conserve water usage.
