Colorado Springs council discusses partial donation for airport land

Colorado Springs City Council discussed Oct. 26 a proposal to accept a partial seller donation tied to about 174 acres at Municipal Airport, but took no vote. Parcels 4B and 5 closed Sept. 1, 2026. The Legistar matter record lists the resolution for the Nov. 10 Council agenda. The proposal is separate from the planned purchase of the acquisition’s remaining parcel in 2027.

The draft resolution would recognize the amount by which the parcels’ appraised values exceed their purchase prices as a partial donation from the seller, not a donation of the entire parcels. If approved, it would authorize the city’s Real Estate Services Manager to execute documents needed to accept the donation.

Airport Director Alexandru Kovacs described the parcels as a potential future addition to Peak Innovation Park, though he said he knew of no specific plan to sell the land. The city’s chief of staff cited possible business-park lease revenue and control of nearby development to protect airport operations as considerations. Kovacs said the goal was compatible development around the airport. No specific development project was identified. Staff recommended approval, but the work-session recording shows no motion or vote before the meeting moved to its next item.

Parcels 4B and 5 are part of a phased acquisition of about 562 acres east of the airport, west of Marksheffel Road and north of Drennan Road. A City Council presentation lists the parcels at about 54.9 and 119.2 acres, respectively, and identifies Parcel 6, about 45.9 acres, as the remaining parcel, with a closing planned for Sept. 15, 2027. The city has described the broader acquisition as a way to expand Peak Innovation Park and control land near airport operational areas. About 1,600 acres at the airport are designated for the park, which is intended for mixed-use business development rather than airport operations.