Awesome Colorado Airpark in Erie
CO – If you’re looking for a quaint fly-in home in Colorado, you can’t go wrong with the Erie Airpark (EIK) subdivision in Erie, CO. The town of Erie was established in 1874 by Reverend J. Van Valkenburg and became the largest producer of coal in the state. Today, it’s known for its quiet community, excellent schools, and fantastic eateries. As of 2021, Erie, CO, has a population of slightly more than 31,000.
Erie Airpark is located 3 miles south of Erie, Colorado, and 20 miles north of Denver. EIK offers rental aircraft, flight instruction, tie-down areas, hangars, and 100LL and Jet A fuel.
APN: “What is the history of the airpark?”
Erie Airpark was built in 1977 as a private airstrip owned by Tom Pierce and his partners. Over the next two years, lots were divided, and construction began on the new fly-in community. In 1981, Tom died in an airplane crash, and ownership passed on to Tom’s wife and, later, their son. Construction on the airport and the hangar community continued until the early 80s, when interest rates greatly increased, and Erie experienced a water shortage. After eight years of hardship, things finally began to turn around for the airport and airpark. The airport was designated as a reliever airport, which gave Tom Pierce, Jr. the opportunity to take advantage of federal funds to repave the main runway. Unfortunately, the federal funds only covered 80 percent of the resurfacing. Unable to come up with the remaining 20 percent, Tom was forced to file bankruptcy and look for private buyers. When none could be found, the town of Erie purchased the airport and leased it back to John and Sue Hurd. John and Sue Hurd were able to pay off the bankruptcy court in 4 years, and today, their son, Jason Hurd, manages the airport.
APN: “What is the community like now?”
The residential airpark contains 127 homes with prices ranging between $550,000 to slightly less than 3 million dollars. One such home is located at 2975 Piper Drive S, Erie, CO. This home, like many in the community, offers 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and more than 6,000 square feet of living space. It is situated just off the runway with its own attached airplane hangar. Several of the homes in this hangar community have direct runway access via a series of connected taxiways. Other homes in the residential airpark do not contain runway access, but they do offer the option to lease hangars owned by the airport. EIK is an uncontrolled airport that has one active runway, 15-33. which is 4,700 feet long and 60 feet wide. A second runway, 9-27, is closed. EIK offers 100LL and Jet A.
APN: “What types of airplanes call the community home?”
EIK is designed to handle aircraft up to 12,000 pounds. The airport typically handles smaller, single-engine aircraft, like Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, and Beechcraft Bonanzas, as well as helicopters. However, King Airs, Cheyennes, and small jets have also been known to land. Over the course of a year, Erie Airpark averages roughly 35,000 landing and takeoffs, with most of the activity happening over the weekend.
APN: “What makes the community unique from other airparks?”
Erie Airpark boasts large, luxury homes that are within biking distance of downtown Erie. The airpark usually sees about 10 to 15 homes for sale each year. The community offers a well-positioned location that’s within a short flight of Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. Residents could even fly to the Grand County Airport and visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
APN” “Are there any fly-ins/events that the community holds?”
EIK hosts one major event each year, the Erie Air Fair. This year, it’s being held on September 10. Guests can view unique aircraft and visit with local and regional vendors. It is a family-friendly event that includes activities for children and adults as well as several musical acts. The last Erie Air Fair was held in August 2023.