Aviation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) businesses in Colorado will now be eligible for the state’s existing $1,200-per-new-employee income tax credit for aircraft manufacturing firms. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 13-1080 on May 13, which was expanded to include MRO businesses.
The National Airspace System and the strong economy it supports could not function effectively without a robust network of MROs. “These facilities and the highly skilled aviation professionals they employ safely maintain the nation’s fleet of over 220,000 aircraft, including nearly 7,800 in Colorado alone,” said David Ulane, AOPA Northwest Mountain regional manager. “With this new legislation, existing MRO facilities in the state will be encouraged to expand, adding highly paid, family wage jobs to Colorado’s economy and in turn strengthening their business and the aviation system. The legislation also incentivizes MRO facilities located in other states to relocate to Colorado, stimulating new economic development, jobs, and aviation activity.”
Ulane represented AOPA in support of the bill during its successful path through the Colorado House and Senate. He testified before an April 16 Senate Finance Committee hearing on the bill and personally met with Rep. Chris Holbert, one of the bill’s primary sponsors.
AOPA, the Colorado Airport Operators Association, National Business Aviation Association, and others jointly supported this legislation.
“This policy initiative really exemplifies AOPA’s continued effort, in tandem with our national and local allies, to identify and support proactive state legislative measures to improve the GA business climate,” said AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Greg Pecoraro. “None of these successes would be possible without the crucial leadership of legislators like bill sponsors Representatives Holbert and Tracy Kraft-Tharp, who fully recognize and actively support GA as a key facet of the state economy.”
