CDOT Division of Aeronautics Receives Prestigious Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Award

Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Honors CDOT Division of Aeronautics

Receiving this award from the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame is an extraordinary honor, and it is a testament to the dedication of our current and former staff, board members and airport partners across Colorado, said David Ulane, Director of the CDOT Division of Aeronautics.

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics recently accepted a special recognition award from the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame, according to an announcement from codot.gov/programs/aeronautics. Statewide aviation is celebrated by the Colorado Aviation Historical Society, which acknowledges groups and people whose innovation, service, vision, and commitment have made a lasting mark. Out of all the groups in the state, CDOT’s Division of Aeronautics stands among a very exclusive group chosen for this esteemed accolade.

Current staff members Shahn Sederberg, Hetty Beatty and Kip McClain attended the event on behalf of the Division, appearing alongside present Division Director David Ulane as well as past Directors Dave Gordon, Travis Vallin and Dennis Roberts. Their combined years of service and leadership reflect a multi-decade dedication to advancing the aviation network of Colorado, a system valued in the billions.

Decades of Infrastructure and Safety Programs

Ever since its establishment in 1991, the Division of Aeronautics alongside the Colorado Aeronautical Board has pioneered transformative programs that have radically advanced workforce development, operational efficiency, and aviation safety across the Rocky Mountain territory.

The cornerstone of the Division’s mission is the Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant Program. Powered by an innovative and unique state aviation fuel tax structure, the program has administered critical funding for airport infrastructure projects statewide for over 35 years while securing billions of dollars in matching Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant funds.

To address the challenges posed by radar gaps, the Division championed the deployment of Wide Area Multilateration (WAM), an innovative technological solution that dramatically enhanced air traffic management and radar visibility within Colorado’s demanding mountain airport and high-country settings. Complementing that effort is the Colorado Mountain AWOS and Weather Camera Program, which installs Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) on high mountain peaks and mountain airports. Integrating FAA weather cameras, this initiative supplies vital visual updates and real-time meteorological details that are indispensable for safe mountain navigation.

Repurposing Equipment to Save Local Communities Millions

Working in collaboration with Denver International Airport and other municipal fields throughout the state, the Colorado Surplus Airport Equipment Program reallocates vital machinery—including tractors, sweepers, and runway snowplows—to smaller regional facilities, thereby saving local budgets millions of dollars while ensuring continuous operational readiness year-round.

Simultaneously, the Colorado Airport Management Internship Program allocates grant funding to support student fellowships, successfully sparking hundreds of enduring careers in airport administration locally and nationwide.

This recognition reflects decades of hard work, visionary planning and a steadfast commitment to enhancing safety, efficiency and opportunity in Colorado aviation, Ulane added.