Founded in 1968 as a reliever airport for Stapleton International, Centennial Airport—then Arapahoe County Airport—has helped transform rolling prairie land in southeastern Arapahoe County into one of the most desirable and vibrant economies in the state. Nurtured by professional planners, ecologists, pilots and citizen advisors, beginning in 1966, Centennial Airport has honored its commitment as a “living” airport, embracing design and compatible land use practices that consider the needs of the human environment while integrating itself into the fast-growing Denver metropolitan area. The airport’s efforts were recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration when it was selected to represent the best in U.S. general aviation design at the 1975 Paris Air Show. For more than half a century, Centennial Airport has been a powerful and dependable economic engine, generating thousands of jobs, more than $1.3 billion in economic impact and a rich tax base for local school districts. Owned and operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, Centennial Airport is 100-percent user supported, accepting no local tax dollars. It supports the world headquarters for industry giants like Liberty Media, Echo Star, The Anschutz Corporation, Arrow Electronics, Western Union and more. Centennial Airport is home to four award-winning fixed base operators, approximately 1,000 based aircraft and one of the most decorated snow and ice removal in the general aviation industry.