Douglas County broke ground Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, on a new hangar for its Helitack wildfire helicopter program.
What's being built
The new hangar is 10,000 square feet, with a 120-by-88-foot landing pad and a hangar door 70 feet wide and 20 feet tall. Beyond housing the county's Helitack helicopter, the building will hold security, maintenance and storage space, offices, Helitack operations and room for joint training. The county says it's the first phase of expanding the Regional Joint Public Safety Training Center.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $4.2 million construction contract for the project on June 23. The county anticipates completion in 2027.
Why the county says it matters
Douglas County is the only county in Colorado that operates its own helicopter and Helitack program. Since 2018, the program has flown 394 flight missions, including 142 wildfire responses, among them the Chatridge 1 and 2 fires, the Louviers/Airport Fire and the Penley Fire.
Commissioner Abe Laydon said: "Wildfire preparedness is one of the most significant investments we can make in protecting our community."
Mike Alexander, director of the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, said: "Douglas County Helitack operates at the tip of the spear for Colorado Wildfire Initial Attack."
Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle said the hangar "is a commitment to that crew and to the families who depend on them when a fire threatens."
Undersheriff Jason Kennedy added: "When agencies train together, they perform together, and that makes our communities safer."
Douglas County has leaned on hi-lo sirens and fire restrictions to manage wildfire risk in recent months; see our coverage of the county's hi-lo evacuation sirens and fire restrictions being lifted. The hangar is also the latest capital project tied to county public-safety and training facilities, following Miller United Real Estate's $20,000 donation to Heroes Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Sources: Douglas County, "Douglas County Breaks Ground on New Helitack Hangar, Strengthening Wildfire Response Capabilities", published Oct. 29, 2026, checked Oct. 30, 2026.