Prowers County Airport Directory
Prowers County, Colorado, sits on the eastern plains of the state, bordering Kansas and New Mexico. The county’s aviation needs are centered on a single public-use facility – Lamar Municipal Airport (ICAO: KLAA, FAA LAA). Although the county is largely agricultural, the airport provides critical links for business travel, emergency medical transport, aerial crop‑dusting, and occasional charter flights that connect the region to larger hubs such as Denver International Airport (DEN) and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport (ICT). Because the airport is owned and operated by Prowers County, the official name on many state documents is “Prowers County Airport,” a designation that appears in federal grant applications and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s aviation inventory.
The airport sits at an elevation of 3,796 feet above mean sea level and features a single asphalt runway (15/33) that measures 5,500 feet long and 100 feet wide. This runway length comfortably supports single‑engine pistons, light turboprops, and small business jets up to the size of a Cessna Citation II. A 2022 FAA Airport Master Record shows an average of 28 daily operations, split between general aviation (71 %), air taxi (22 %), and military (7 %). The airport’s traffic volume has risen modestly each year since 2015, driven by increased demand for aerial fertilization services that serve the county’s 4,500‑acre corn and wheat farms.
Airport Serving Prowers County
Lamar Municipal Airport is the only airport in Prowers County listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The facility is located just 3 miles north of downtown Lamar, the county seat, and is accessed via County Road 600 (Airport Road). The airport’s FAA identifier, LAA, is often paired with the phrase “airport in Prowers County” in local search queries, reflecting the community’s reliance on this single hub. The airport is equipped with a self‑service 100LL fuel pump, a small fixed‑base operator (FBO) that offers hangar rentals, a pilot lounge, and a weather briefing station. Night operations are supported by runway edge lights and a rotating beacon, allowing pilots to land after dark during the busy harvest season.
Lamar Municipal Airport: Facilities and Services
The airport’s terminal building, constructed in 1998, houses the Prowers County Airport Office on the second floor. The office staff processes all aircraft registration, handles the county’s aviation grant applications, and coordinates with the Colorado Division of Aeronautics for runway maintenance. A 2023 County budget report notes that $1.2 million was allocated for pavement resurfacing and the installation of a new GPS‑based instrument approach, improving safety during winter snowstorms that are common in the high plains.
For pilots seeking ground services, the on‑site FBO provides aircraft maintenance, tie‑down spots, and a modest rental fleet of two Cessna 172S aircraft used for flight‑training programs partnered with the local community college. The airport also supports a dedicated medical‑evacuation helicopter base operated by the Prowers County Health Department, which shortens emergency response times for the county’s 5,700 residents.
Airport Office and Operations in Prowers County
The Prowers County Airport Office is located at 600 Airport Road, Lamar, CO 80112. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the staff includes an Airport Manager, an Operations Specialist, and a Grants Coordinator. The office is responsible for the annual Airport Improvement Program (AIP) plan, which outlines projects such as runway lighting upgrades, expanded aprons for larger aircraft, and the installation of a solar‑powered electric vehicle charging station projected for completion in 2025.
In addition to routine maintenance, the airport office collaborates with the U.S. Forest Service for wildfire‑suppression aircraft staging, a critical service given the increasing frequency of dry‑season fires on the eastern plains. The office also maintains a public-use helipad adjacent to the medical‑evacuation base, providing rapid access for air ambulance crews serving the county’s rural health clinics.
Communities in Prowers County with Airport Access
While Lamar holds the airport, several smaller towns and unincorporated communities rely on its proximity for air travel. The town of Wiley (population 1,200) lies 12 miles west of the airport, reachable via CO‑196 and County Road 600 in approximately 18 minutes. Granada, a historic settlement of about 350 people, sits 22 miles south‑east; drivers travel north on US‑50 and then east on County Road 25, a 30‑minute drive.
The unincorporated community of St. Charles (population ≈ 80) is 13 miles north‑west of the airport, accessed via County Road 4 and CO‑109. Residents often use the airport for agricultural aerial applications, as the local farming co‑op contracts with the airport’s charter operators for spray runs during the growing season.
Another notable location is Holly, located 27 miles south of Lamar. Although Holly does not have direct road access to the airport, a county‑maintained gravel road connects the town to US‑50, allowing residents to reach Lamar Municipal Airport in roughly 35 minutes. The county’s emergency services also use the airport as a staging point for disaster response drills that involve the surrounding rural communities.
Travel Distances from Key Towns to the County Airport
Below is a quick reference for the most common driving distances to the Prowers County airport:
- Lamar (city center): 3 miles (5 minutes)
- Wiley: 12 miles (18 minutes)
- St. Charles: 13 miles (20 minutes)
- Granada: 22 miles (30 minutes)
- Holly: 27 miles (35 minutes)
- McClave (unincorporated): 9 miles (12 minutes)
These distances illustrate why the phrase “airport near Prowers County” frequently appears in local searches – the single public airport serves a broad geographic area, providing essential connectivity for both personal travel and commercial aviation activities across the county’s 1,800 square‑mile footprint.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Colorado Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Prowers County, Colorado.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Prowers County, Colorado.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Prowers County, Colorado.
Local Airports
There are 3 Local Airport in Prowers County, Colorado.
Holly Airport - K08
Otis Airport
Tinnes Airport
Airports in near by County
Frequently Asked Questions — Prowers County Airport Directory
What airport serves Prowers County, Colorado?
The public‑use facility that serves Prowers County is Lamar Municipal Airport (FAA identifier LAA), which is also listed in county documents as Prowers County Airport. It is located 3 miles north of downtown Lamar and provides runway, fuel, and hangar services for general aviation, air‑taxi, and medical‑evacuation flights.
How far is the Prowers County airport from Lamar, CO?
Lamar Municipal Airport sits approximately 3 miles (about a 5‑minute drive) north of the Lamar city center via County Road 600. The short distance makes it the most convenient airport for residents, businesses, and emergency services in the county seat.
What airport services are available at Lamar Municipal Airport in Prowers County?
The airport offers 100LL self‑service fuel, a fixed‑base operator that provides aircraft maintenance, tie‑down spots, and two Cessna 172S aircraft for flight training. Additional services include a pilot lounge, weather briefing station, night runway lighting, a rotating beacon, and a dedicated medical‑evacuation helipad operated by the Prowers County Health Department.
Do unincorporated communities like St. Charles have direct airport access in Prowers County?
Yes. St. Charles is about 13 miles north‑west of Lamar Municipal Airport, reachable via County Road 4 and CO‑109 in roughly 20 minutes. While the community does not have its own airstrip, residents and local agricultural operators routinely use the airport for aerial spray contracts and private charter flights.
Where is the airport office for Prowers County located and what services does it provide?
The Prowers County Airport Office is situated at 600 Airport Road, Lamar, CO 80112. Staff there handle aircraft registration, coordinate FAA Airport Improvement Program grants, maintain runway and lighting projects, and manage the county’s emergency‑response aviation plans, including wildfire‑suppression staging and medical‑evacuation logistics.