A property steeped in Colorado history is ripe for development
Denver, CO – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (LIV SIR) announces that the Platte Valley Airpark, located at 7507 County Road 39 in Fort Lupton, Colorado, has been listed by Les Pfenning and Josh Jackson of LIV SIR, and Rick Robinson of Space Commercial Real Estate, for $4.1 million. This unique listing is nestled on 226-plus acres and houses a charming single-family 2,200 square foot home, a meticulously maintained asphalt runway, a three-story observation tower and a 6,000 square foot main hangar. It comes with several lucrative income streams including hangar leases, fuel sales and mineral rights.
Rich in history, this small, private airport evokes another era; it’s uncomplicated and quiet. There’s no control tower, few regulations, and people come and go as they please. In lieu of the control tower, they have their own radio frequency so pilots can call in to see who’s in pattern before they land. Aviators share a camaraderie, and the airpark has a community ambiance, with pilots stopping by for fuel or coming to work on their planes. You want to fly? Start your engine and take to the skies because there’s rarely a wait.
“In the 1960s, this was farmland. The owner was an aviator who built a hangar and a dirt strip to land a small plane. The property was foreclosed on in the late 1970s, purchased by a family, who sold it to us – a small group of aviators – in 1992,” said Kevin Kennelly, Platte Valley Airpark Shareholder. Kennelly’s love of airplanes began when he was a child, growing up on a farm next to an airport. While he was supposed to be helping with the farm chores, he would watch the planes take off and land all day long.
The 13 shareholders are aviators who recognize that change is happening, and the area is growing. What used to be considered far from Denver, is now actually part of the growing suburbs. They want to go along with that change and move into retirement, as they consider themselves “old timers” and not developers. While they hope the property stays an airport and is purchased by someone who loves aviation as much as they do, ultimately, they want the property to be a successful venture for the new owners.
At the time it was purchased, this group wanted a privately owned public airport where they could continue their love of aviation, but it was run down. What makes it unique is the fact that most public airports aren’t run by aviators, and this one has been for over 30 years. They’ve improved the space in that time by building more hangar space, which those in the Colorado aviation community know is a hot commodity with demand outpacing supply in our state. They also improved the runways, taxiways and facilities.
“It’s always a little better than it was. It’s been cared for. It’s been a great experience for a lot of people over the years. The airpark is run by aviators, for aviators and a wide range of people who love flying,” said Jim McLaughlin, Platte Valley Airpark Shareholder. McLaughlin started his love of aviation by building model airplanes as a child. He attended the University of Colorado (CU) and joined the CU Flying Club, where he started flying and fixing planes.
Notable figures who have come into the Platte Valley Airpark through the years include Stephen Coonts, author of “Flight of the Intruder,” and Tom Love, who would land his jet at the airport while the Love’s Travel Stop was being built in Hudson. Because the airport isn’t currently built for jets, this took great skill to accomplish. The runway does have the capacity to be extended to support larger aircraft if a buyer would like to offer turn-key jet operations.
Platte Valley Airpark opens doors to endless possibilities, making it an exceptional owner-user property for passionate aviators or an investment group seeking to establish their own Fixed Base Aviation Operation. With its current facilities and undeveloped acreage, the airpark presents immense growth potential for various aviation-related ventures, including flight training, on-site A&P mechanic services, and hangar storage.
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty has twenty offices in Colorado, spanning from the Denver Metro area to resort communities. For additional information, please visit livsothebysrealty.com or stop by one of our offices.
