Quantcast

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

US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Summer flight delays to be 'worst ever' this year - what to do if affected
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Stapleton Airport becomes part of wildlife refuge after decades-long transformation
Policy
Webp day
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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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
More News

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025

The SFO Facility recently hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which was deemed a success by organizers.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an appreciation event at its SFW facility to honor its employees.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that it contributes all of its taxable income annually to the Chicago-based Sue L. Gin Foundation Trust, which supports healthcare, education, legal aid, and immigration rights.

Oct 21, 2025