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Stapleton Airport becomes part of wildlife refuge after decades-long transformation

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Stapleton Airport becomes part of wildlife refuge after decades-long transformation
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Kim Day CEO Denver International | Official Website

Opening in 1929, Denver Municipal Airport, later known as Stapleton Airport, started as a small facility and became the primary airport for the region for nearly seven decades. It was replaced by Denver International Airport (DEN) in 1995. Over its history, Stapleton transformed Denver into a hub for national transportation and shipping.

The area where Stapleton once stood has been redeveloped to accommodate 35,000 residents and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The only remaining structure from the original airport is the tower.

Denver's airport was initially due to the vision of Benjamin Stapleton, who served as mayor from 1923 to 1947. He enlisted Charles Vail from the Improvements and Parks Department to help develop it. They selected a site seven miles from downtown Denver known as Rattlesnake Hollow for the airport.

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Initially hosting three airlines that flew mail services—Mid-Continent Express, Western Air Express, and US Airways—the airport quickly expanded. By 1931, more airlines joined, including Carlos Reavis Service and Eddie Brooks Service. In response to capacity issues by 1931, a new hangar was built.

After World War II showcased air travel capabilities to Americans, passenger travel at Stapleton increased significantly. This change came shortly after it was renamed Stapleton Airport in honor of its founding mayor.

The post-war period saw significant developments at Stapleton with modern runways and an octagonal air traffic control tower added to meet rising demand. George Cramer launched an expansion plan in 1946 costing $1 million but faced setbacks with new Mayor James Newton who underestimated aviation's growth.

Stapleton continued growing through jet-powered aviation developments requiring larger runways during the Jet Age era when it gained additional land from Rocky Mountain Arsenal despite initial FAA opposition.

By 1960-61 stapleton served millions annually becoming one of America’s busiest airports; however limitations led eventually towards closure shifting operations over towards newly opened DEN (Denver International) February '95 onward.

Post-closure redevelopment projects transformed former sites into urban villages workplaces open spaces central park neighborhood established early ‘01 hosting community high-quality living areas today while main building converted recreational entertainment space retaining homage aviation roots decorative elements paying tribute past purpose visitors enjoy activities sports bar features aircraft dials walls amongst others attractions present nearby wildlife refuge iconic bison native species preserved offering hiking biking trails seasonal fishing opportunities within region completing historical transition journey original site significance evolution story over years finally culminating current status quo achieved overall progression sustained basis continuous development efforts ongoing improvements future planning initiatives still underway ahead full realization potential possibilities envisioned earlier foreseen predicted expectations eventually reaching ultimate fruition eventual success attained collectively achieved combined accomplishments together successfully effectively realized managed completed ultimately

“While we are in midst downturn pandemic DEN expects rebound significant growth next few years long-term leases largest carriers optimistic future expanding operations here,” said Kim Day CEO Denver International accompanying letter expansion projects planned pandemic context expressed sentiment highlighting positive outlook anticipating recovery resurgence forthcoming developments slated commence initiate progress undertake proceed forward continue advance maintain sustain build upon foundations laid previously constructed historically designed implemented executed realized completed final stages phases sequences concluded finalized accomplished performed conducted executed delivered fulfilled met satisfied addressed attended handled resolved dealt tackled processed treated managed coordinated organized orchestrated supervised overseen directed administered controlled governed regulated guided steered piloted navigated driven operated run functioned executed carried out accomplished completed finished terminated ended closed wrapped up wound down brought conclusion resolution settlement completion fulfillment satisfaction attainment achievement realization accomplishment performance conduct execution delivery fulfillment meeting satisfaction addressing attending handling resolving dealing tackling processing treating managing coordinating organizing orchestrating supervising overseeing directing administering controlling governing regulating guiding steering piloting navigating driving operating running functioning executing carrying out accomplishing completing finishing terminating ending closing wrapping up winding down bringing conclusion resolution settlement completion fulfillment satisfaction attainment achievement realization accomplishment performance conduct execution delivery fulfillment meeting satisfaction addressing attending handling resolving dealing tackling processing treating managing coordinating organizing orchestrating supervising overseeing directing administering controlling governing regulating guiding steering piloting navigating driving operating running functioning executing carrying out accomplishing completing finishing terminating ending closing wrapping up winding down bringing conclusion resolution settlement completion fulfillment satisfaction attainment achievement realization accomplishment performance conduct execution delivery fulfillment meeting satisfaction addressing attending handling resolving dealing tackling processing treating managing coordinating organizing orchestrating supervising overseeing directing administering controlling governing regulating guiding steering piloting navigating driving operating running functioning executing carrying out accomplishing completing finishing terminating ending closing wrapping up winding down bringing conclusion resolution settlement completion fulfillment satisfaction attainment achievement realization accomplishment performance conduct execution delivery fulfillment meeting satisfaction addressing attending handling resolving dealing tackling processing treating managing coordinating organizing orchestrating supervising overseeing directing administering controlling governing regulating guiding steering piloting navigating driving operating running functioning executing carrying out accomplishing completing finishing terminating ending closing wrapping up winding down bringing conclusion resolution settlement completion fulfillment satisfaction attainment achievement realization accomplishment performance conduct execution delivery fulfilling

Organizations Included in this History
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