Colorado petition reaches goal

“The goal of the project is to raise awareness of the impact of aviation on a large number of residents and industries across the state,” said Chris Swathwood, a member of the CABA board, in a press release. Swathwood has been a leading proponent of the effort that is also backed by a variety of organizations including AOPA, the Colorado Pilots Association, the Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association, the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics.

With the required number of signatures now gathered, CABA is preparing paperwork and seeking a state lawmaker to sponsor a bill that would officially establish the “Support Aviation” license plate, which residents could obtain for $50, the standard fee that covers the state’s costs and a contribution to the state Highway User Tax Fund. The “Support Aviation” license plate, designed by local graphic designer Chris Glaser, was first proposed in 2014.

Aviation accounts for 265,700 jobs and $12.6 billion in payroll in the state, with a total economic output of $36.7 billion, according to the latest figures from the state division of aeronautics.