Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Dawn Aerospace and Colorado Air and Space Port Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

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Posted on: June 15, 2021

Dawn Aerospace (Dawn) and Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) have entered into an MOU, which lays out a series of future interactions that are mutually expected to occur between the two entities, but are not legally binding. Future actions include Dawn establishing a presence at CASP, working with CASP to create a relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and, eventually, conducting test flights and spaceplane launches.

“In order to provide unprecedented access to space, we’ve pursued technologies that will operate much like a fleet of aircraft – taking off and landing at airports globally,” said James Powell, Dawn Co-founder. “We’re pleased to work with the supportive Adams County Board to bring our rocket-powered suborbital plane, and longer-term our orbital spaceplane, to Colorado.”

In Dec. 2020 Dawn was granted an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority to fly from a conventional airport. Dawn’s Mk-II Aurora is their latest spaceplane iteration. Mk-III Aurora, a two-stage orbital system, is currently in development.

Alongside the testing and development ongoing on the company’s spaceplanes, Dawn provides in-space satellite propulsion to its customers globally. Dawn has successfully seen eight of it’s in-space propulsion units launched in 2021 on Vega, Soyuz, and SpaceX vehicles.

The company’s spaceplane division is interested in expanding business operations to include Colorado Air and Space Port in Adams County.

“The Adams County Board looks forward to creating this new partnership with Dawn Aerospace and eventually having them operate at Colorado Air and Space Port,” said Eva J. Henry, Adams County Commissioner and Board Chair. “This partnership will bring a multitude of innovative opportunities for all involved, and we can’t wait to see what comes next from this impressive company.”

Dawn Aerospace was awarded the 2020 Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year at the 2020 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards for developing technology to access space in a more scalable and sustainable way than is currently possible with traditional rockets.

“The amount of interest in Colorado Air and Space Port from international and domestic aerospace companies over the past three years has been amazing,” said Raymond Gonzales, Adams County Manager. “This agreement with a truly innovative company like Dawn Aerospace is an exciting development as we continue to increase our aerospace partnerships while also expanding our general aviation activity at CASP.”

“Dawn Aerospace has successfully worked with a number of European countries for the launch of their propulsion units, and we are thrilled this company will be establishing a presence with us,” said Dave Ruppel, Colorado Air and Space Port Director. “Dawn Aerospace is a leader in the industry. Having a spaceplane that can make multiple suborbital trips a day with the same vehicle, take off and land from a conventional airport, and uses green propellants will help drive the industry to create more proficient space vehicles.”

To learn more about Dawn Aerospace visit their website. View the MOU here. You can watch a recap of the event on the county’s YouTube channel.

Group Photo
Posted on: November 19, 2024

Adams County Commissioners Award More Than $12 Million in Open Space Grants

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded more than $12 million in open space grants for 21 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the fall 2024 grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2024 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.

Dionne Stroter
Posted on: November 5, 2024

Adams County Appoints Dionne Stroter as Deputy County Manager

Adams County is proud to announce the appointment of Dionne Stroter as Deputy County Manager. A Colorado native with over 20 years of experience in public administration, Stroter brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for equity and community engagement to her new role.

Consul Mexico Visit
Posted on: October 31, 2024

Adams County Hosts Consul General of Mexico for Collaborative Lunch Meeting with Board of County Commissioners

The Adams County Board of County Commissioners and senior leadership welcomed the appointed Consul General of Mexico in Denver, Ambassador Pavel Melendez-Cruz, at a meet-and-greet lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 29. This meeting fostered an invaluable discussion on deepening partnerships to better serve Adams County’s growing Mexican community and enhance mutual collaboration across economic, social, and cultural initiatives.

Kristin Sullivan
Posted on: October 22, 2024

Adams County Appoints Kristin Sullivan as Deputy County Manager

Adams County is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Sullivan as Deputy County Manager. Sullivan brings 20 years of experience in local government and urban planning, including 11 years of prior service with Adams County, and is set to strengthen the county’s leadership team with her extensive knowledge and expertise.

Posted on: October 14, 2024

Commissioners’ Corner: Looking Back to Move Forward

By Emma Pinter, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners

When Adams County puts together our annual community report, teams across our departments pore over a year of successes, statistics, and stories to decide what should be included. We compare each moment side-by-side with our mission and vision and evaluate our accomplishments based on what matters most—the impact they had on the lives of our county’s residents.

Posted on: October 10, 2024

Behavioral Health Employers Need More Workers—Adams County Looking to Make the Connection

What: Behavioral Health Career Fair
Where: Front Range Community College Westminster Campus, Rocky Mountain Room, 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 4–7 p.m.

Following the recommendations of the Adams County Behavioral Health Services and Supports Assessment: A Blueprint for Action, Adams County is addressing one of the barriers to behavioral health services: a lack of workforce.

Posted on: October 3, 2024

Colorado Air and Space Port Achieves National Airport Designation

Elevated Status in FAA Classification Positions Airport for Future Growth and Funding Opportunities

Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is proud to announce its new designation as a National General Aviation Airport, the highest classification in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). This significant achievement reflects the airport's increasing activity, infrastructure, and regional importance in aviation.

David Fraser
Posted on: September 18, 2024

Adams County Appoints David Fraser as Interim County Manager

Adams County is pleased to announce the appointment of David Fraser as the Interim County Manager. Fraser, a distinguished leader with three decades of experience in local government, will guide the county through this transitional period until Spring 2025, when the Board of County Commissioners will seek a permanent replacement.