Key Takeaways
• Starting May 1, 2025, Denver Air Connection operates 12 weekly jet flights between Pueblo and Denver.
• The Essential Air Service program subsidizes Denver Air Connection with over $13 million for two years.
• Pueblo’s new jet flights improve accessibility, boost tourism, but face risks from federal funding cuts.
Jet Service Returns to Pueblo: What It Means for Travelers and the Community
After years of waiting, Pueblo travelers will soon be able to fly nonstop to Denver on jets instead of small propeller planes. Starting May 1, 2025, Denver Air Connection will fly 12 round trips each week between Pueblo Memorial Airport and Denver International Airport, giving the region its first true jet service in six years. This change, supported by the Essential Air Service program, brings hope for business growth and more travel options, but there are also real concerns about future federal funding that could affect the service.
A New Kind of Air Travel in Pueblo
For many people in Pueblo, flying to Denver has often meant long waits, crowded vans, or unreliable planes. That’s about to change. Denver Air Connection, chosen from a group of five airlines, will now handle this important route. Their jets hold between 30 and 50 passengers, a significant jump from the tiny nine-seat propeller aircraft previously used.
There will be 12 flights each week. Travelers can look forward to:
- Pueblo to Denver: Flights at 8 a.m. and 1:05 p.m., reaching Denver in just about 50 minutes.
– Denver to Pueblo: Flights at 11:45 a.m. and 5:35 p.m.
This schedule slashes travel time compared to driving, which usually takes around two hours. The 95-mile (about 175 kilometers) trip by air is not just faster—it’s also more comfortable and reliable. Many locals may remember flight delays or cancellations that were common before, leading some to swear off flying from Pueblo. Local airport leaders say this new service, with newer jets and better support, should restore that lost faith.
Improvements for Passengers and the Community
The switch to Denver Air Connection brings more than just speed. These jets are ADA-compliant, which means they are easier to use for people with disabilities. Plus, having double or even five times as many seats makes it much easier for families, business groups, or larger numbers of tourists to fly together.
Pueblo Memorial Airport Director Greg Pedroza believes these changes are overdue. He says many former passengers left because they lost trust in the old system. Now, better reliability and quality might attract them back. “For the last six years, passengers have said they wouldn’t fly from Pueblo again—but we’re hoping they’ll give us another try,” he explained.
For the city itself, the new air service matters in other important ways. Donielle Kitzman, Vice President of The Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, has shared that better travel choices will help bring in visitors, fill up hotels, and boost spending across businesses. “These flights mean more people coming to Pueblo, more dollars spent in restaurants and stores, and more jobs for people living here,” she said. Official figures back that up, showing that travelers spent $277 million in Pueblo County in 2023 alone.
The Essential Air Service Program: Key Support for Small Cities
Jet flights between Pueblo and Denver are made possible by the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. This federal program was created to make sure that smaller, rural cities would keep their air connections even after airline deregulation in 1978. The EAS provides money—called subsidies—to airlines, making sure they can run flights that might not otherwise make enough profit.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the EAS will provide Denver Air Connection with over $13 million in subsidies for the Pueblo-Denver route over a two-year period. Pueblo isn’t the only city relying on this program; in Colorado, towns like Alamosa, Cortez, and Telluride also depend on EAS-supported airlines.
But this support could be in danger. President Trump’s proposed budget for next year would cut EAS by $300 million, which is half of the program’s entire budget. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has warned that if these cuts go through, many rural communities could lose their air service altogether. For Pueblo, that would mean the loss of direct flights to Denver and all the goodies that come with them—like convenience, business growth, and easier travel for residents.
Why Jet Service Matters for Pueblo’s Future
There’s a bigger picture at play. Good air service is about more than just skipping a long drive. For a city like Pueblo, easy, regular flights mean:
- Attracting more tourists and businesses
- Giving students and workers more job and education choices
- Helping family and friends stay connected
The city also counts on passenger numbers to claim federal grants for airport improvements. If Pueblo Memorial Airport can serve 10,000 passengers a year, it unlocks special funding for major upgrades. Pedroza, the airport director, explains that hitting that number “provides us with dollars to do projects,” like new restrooms and better drop-off areas planned for the future.
Airport improvements don’t just help travelers; they also mean construction jobs and better-quality facilities for everyone. Maintaining popular, well-used flights makes it easier for the airport to qualify for these funds, so local officials hope this new jet service will draw travelers back in large numbers.
What About Budgets and City Services?
Even as Pueblo celebrates better air travel, it’s facing tough choices. The city’s 2025 budget has an $8.6 million shortfall—meaning there’s more money going out than coming in. This is mostly because pandemic relief funds have ended, and an earlier bump from a one-time, $4 million sales tax payment has run out.
To deal with less money, the city has:
- Cut almost half of its funding for nonprofits and groups not part of city government
- Ended support for projects like parks and new construction, reducing this spending from $15-20 million down to just $3 million
- Stopped funding for 14 local nonprofits, including well-known groups like The Mariposa Center for Safety
Pueblo has also eliminated 18 city jobs to help balance the books. These tough steps show how risky it can be to rely on federal support, whether for airlines or for city budgets. If funding for Essential Air Service is cut next, the losses could affect not just air travel, but jobs, tourism, and opportunities for everyone.
Local Voices on the Ground
City leaders, business owners, and local groups all agree that the return of jet flights is a real win for Pueblo, even if it comes with watchful eyes on Washington, D.C. Greg Pedroza puts it simply: “People need air options they can count on. We’re excited about these jets, but we need to make sure the support continues.”
Donielle Kitzman and the Chamber of Commerce are encouraging everyone to use the new flights—whether for business, visiting family, or just a shorter trip to the big city. Every traveler counted keeps the airport’s numbers high, which is more important than ever if federal rules require a certain level of use.
Concerns and Choices Ahead
There’s a sense of hope around the new Denver Air Connection flights, but also some real worries. If the Essential Air Service program is cut, Pueblo might again find itself with fewer travel choices, or might lose air service altogether. That would hit not just tourists, but also people who need quick connections for business, medical care, or school.
The new jets bring more comfort, better accessibility for passengers with disabilities, and allow more travelers to fly each week. City officials hope these improvements will restore trust in the airport, build back business travel, and start conversations about how important it is to invest in regional transportation.
Practical Steps for Travelers
If you’re thinking of flying between Pueblo and Denver, booking will soon be much simpler. With bigger planes, more seats, and twice-daily departures in both directions, your chances of getting a ticket are much better. The 50-minute flight is a big upgrade from a long car ride on busy roads. It’s also likely to cost about the same as before, thanks to Essential Air Service support.
It’s also important for travelers and community members to keep an eye on city and federal decisions. The best way to support airport growth and continued federal help is to use the service and encourage friends to do the same. If passenger numbers grow, Pueblo Memorial Airport can qualify for even more improvements, which benefits everyone in the community.
What’s Next for the Essential Air Service Program?
The Essential Air Service program is at a crossroads. Rural cities across the United States, including Pueblo, are waiting to see what Congress and the White House will decide about next year’s funding. The proposed $300 million cut could put hundreds of local air routes at risk, hurting small towns and the residents who rely on air links to bigger cities.
If you’d like to learn more about the Essential Air Service and what it means for cities like Pueblo, the U.S. Department of Transportation keeps updated and clear information on their Essential Air Service program page.
A Summary of What’s Changing for Pueblo
- Starting May 1, 2025, Denver Air Connection will operate 12 weekly round-trip jet flights between Pueblo Memorial Airport and Denver International Airport.
- The new service, backed by over $13 million in Essential Air Service subsidies, replaces smaller, less reliable propeller planes with larger, ADA-compliant passenger jets.
- City officials and local businesses expect the upgraded air link will increase tourism, business spending, and visitor numbers, bringing major benefits for Pueblo and its residents.
- Budget problems and worries over federal funding cuts, especially to the Essential Air Service program, pose big risks to keeping this improved service in the years to come.
- City leaders, including Mayor Heather Graham and airport director Greg Pedroza, are focusing on building back trust and growing passenger numbers, which are essential for future grants and airport upgrades.
Looking Forward
The return of jet service to Pueblo is more than just a win for travelers—it’s a turning point for the whole community. Quick, reliable flights to Denver can help families connect, allow business professionals to visit clients, and build a stronger local economy. Still, this progress depends on steady support from the Essential Air Service program, as well as city and local budgets.
If you live in Pueblo or nearby, staying informed and using the new flights is a good way to keep those options open. Local and national decisions about air travel funding will shape the region’s future. Keeping travel options open and accessible is something everyone in Pueblo has a stake in.
To stay current on these changes and what they mean for rural air service, visit official resources like the Essential Air Service program page, and consider checking reliable news sources such as VisaVerge.com for expert analysis on future developments affecting Pueblo, Denver Air Connection, and the Essential Air Service program.
Learn Today
Essential Air Service (EAS) → A federal subsidy program ensuring air connectivity for small or rural American communities.
Denver Air Connection → The airline selected to operate new jet flights between Pueblo Memorial Airport and Denver.
ADA-compliant → Aircraft designed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for passenger accessibility.
Subsidies → Financial support provided by the government to help airlines operate less profitable routes.
Pueblo Memorial Airport → The regional airport in Pueblo, Colorado, where the new jet service operates.
This Article in a Nutshell
Beginning May 2025, Pueblo welcomes jet service via Denver Air Connection, enhancing travel speed and comfort. Supported by the Essential Air Service subsidies, these flights offer economic growth opportunities while federal budget uncertainties threaten future continuity.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• United Express adds daily nonstop flights from Southwest Oregon to Denver
• Emirates eyes direct Dubai flights from Denver International Airport
• United Airlines adds daily Denver-Regina flights after long pause
• United Airlines restores daily Denver–Regina flights after 10 years
• United Airlines marks 88 years at Denver International Airport
