Inside Steamboat’s Airport Expansion & Why it Matters

The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) is moving forward with a major terminal expansion, with construction expected to begin this spring on an approximately $86 million project. The Steamboat Pilot recently reported that the expansion will add roughly 60,000 square feet across two levels, effectively doubling the size of the existing terminal and positioning the airport to support long-term growth in air service for Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado.

This infrastructure will reshape how residents, second-home owners, and destination travelers access our market. New gates with boarding bridges, upgraded baggage systems, expanded passenger circulation, and modernized amenities are designed to improve reliability and flow during peak winter and shoulder seasons. Passenger traffic has grown dramatically in recent years, rising from roughly 150,000 annual passengers pre-pandemic to more than 450,000 today, driven by winter demand and continued summer growth as airlines add capacity, according to the airport director.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

“Air service is one of the foundational drivers for resort and luxury markets,” says Chris Paoli, Managing Partner at The Agency Steamboat Springs. “Accessibility is an economic driver. A larger, more capable airport attracts inbound buyers, supports visitation patterns, serves residents and second-home owners who rely on consistent air access, and strengthens year-round engagement with the community.”

For sellers, enhanced connectivity often translates to broader buyer reach and confidence that Steamboat is investing in its future, a critical narrative in positioning luxury homes and investment properties. For buyers, especially those traveling from out of state or internationally, predictable access during winter and summer amplifies livability and value.

Timing with Local Development

The timing of the airport expansion is notable. Steamboat is entering a development cycle at the resort base not seen in more than a decade, with new residential, branded, and mixed-use projects reshaping the mountain experience. Infrastructure plays a direct role in supporting that growth. Enhanced air service underpins buyer confidence, supports higher pricing thresholds, and strengthens Steamboat’s position among top-tier mountain destinations. Among U.S. resort markets, only Jackson Hole currently supports more airline service.

As new base-area development comes online, the ability to move people into and out of the valley efficiently becomes a tangible asset in both development strategy and real estate valuation. The airport expansion reinforces Steamboat’s evolution into a fully scaled, nationally competitive resort market, shaping who chooses to live, invest, and build here over the coming decade.