Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (LAA)

Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (LAA) operates as a comprehensive general aviation facility positioned three miles southwest of Lamar in Prowers County, Colorado, featuring two substantial runways including the region's only all-weather instrument runway in the southeastern corner of the state. The airport's infrastructure spans 557 acres at 3,706 feet elevation, with runway 18/36 measuring 6,304 by 100 feet in concrete and runway 8/26 extending 5,001 by 60 feet in asphalt, capable of accommodating business jets and executive aircraft alongside diverse commercial and private aviation operations. Rather than traditional passenger terminal facilities, the airport maintains a comfortable pilots' lounge, flight planning facilities, and essential support services focused on serving the general aviation community. The facility provides extensive aircraft support infrastructure including five taxiways, multiple maintenance hangars, T-hangars with abundant tie-down space, automated weather service, and a city-owned fuel farm offering both Avgas and Jet-A fuel. The airport manages approximately 13,500 annual aircraft operations, with 65% general aviation, 26% air taxi, and 9% military flights, supporting a based aircraft fleet that includes single-engine, multi-engine, and jet aircraft. Essential services include aircraft maintenance facilities, courtesy car rentals for visiting pilots, and comprehensive navigational aids that enable year-round operations despite challenging weather conditions common to southeastern Colorado. Southeast Colorado Regional Airport serves a seven-county service area encompassing Prowers, Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Crowley, and Otero counties, functioning as the primary aviation hub for this rural agricultural region. The facility hosts annual events including the Planes to Plains Fly-In, parachuting and skydiving activities, and serves as a checkpoint for the Women's Classic Air Race. Recently achieving Corporate Aircraft Association certification, the airport demonstrates its commitment to supporting business aviation while maintaining its role as an essential transportation link for emergency medical services, agricultural operations, and regional connectivity in this sparsely populated corner of Colorado.