City of Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS), Colorado
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS) serves as a joint-use field shared with military operations tied to Peterson Space Force Base and nearby Fort Carson, sitting at 6,187 feet elevation in El Paso County. The airport fields business aviation traffic alongside airline and military movements, supported by three paved runways including a 13,500-foot main strip, full onsite CBP customs, and both Jet A and 100LL fuel. Its position roughly 57 nautical miles from the metro core keeps it a relevant alternate for Front Range operations.
Runways
City of Colorado Springs Municipal has three paved runways. The longest, 17L/35R, is 13,500 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
City of Colorado Springs Municipal has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
City of Colorado Springs Municipal has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
City of Colorado Springs Municipal recorded 15,026 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KCOS builds through the summer and peaks in October, with that month's operations count well above the January low.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 1,786 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
City of Colorado Springs Municipal averages 11.0 days above 90°F in July, 29.8 freeze days in December and 1.9 snow days in March. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86.5°F, and December the coldest, at 44.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
City of Colorado Springs Municipal has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Lighted wind direction indicators are located on the approaches to runways 17L/35R, 17R/35L, and 13/31.
Prior permission is required for all transient aircraft; contact Airfield Management. Airfield Management operates from 1300 to 0500 and beyond, closed on holidays.
Runway edge identifier lights for runways 13, 31, and 17R are pilot-activated; contact Colorado Springs tower.
Portions of taxiways A, B, E, F, G, and M are blocked from tower view by obstructions. Portions of taxiway C and runway 17R/35L are blocked from tower view when the infield military operating surface is occupied by a C-17 or C-5.
The FAA air traffic control tower will provide military runway condition reading information on request. Cargo and passenger service is available only on the Peterson ramp from 1330 to 2330Z and beyond on weekdays. It is closed on weekends and holidays unless coordinated 72 hours prior; contact Passenger Services.
When crossing runway 17R/35L from taxiway A1 to B1 or from B1 to A1, be aware that A1 or B1 will not be visible until cresting the runway, depending on direction of travel. Travel northeast when crossing from A1 to B1, and southwest when crossing from B1 to A1.
Waterfowl and migratory bird activity occurs on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 460/F/C/X/T
PCR VALUE: 1060/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1160/F/A/X/T
Customs is available for all military and civilian aircraft. Contact US Customs.
Turbojet training flights are prohibited between 2300 and 0600.
B-52 operations are prohibited.
JASU equipment on field: two AM32A-95 units, two MA32A-60A units, two MA32-86A units, one SGNC unit, and two B809D generators.
Oil grades available: O-133, O-148, O-156 (military).
The Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group ramp light stands 140 feet above ground level.
Pilots should be alert for intensive US Air Force student training activity in the vicinity of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado.
Caution: aircraft with a wingspan greater than 117 feet should use oversteer in turns when taxiing on centerlines A2, A3, and A4, due to insufficient corner fillets in the pavement.
Military transient alert operations are coordinated through the Fort Carson Arrival/Departure Air Control Group. All transient aircraft should contact Colorado Springs Regional Command Post, callsign High Country, 30 minutes prior to arrival, and report actual time of arrival and actual time of departure.
Fuel type A-plus-plus is available for military use.
Weather observation service operates 24 hours a day including weekends, with observations and forecasts provided by the National Weather Service at KCOS. Low-level wind shear alert system watches, warnings, and advisories are issued for KPEF.
Air Force aircraft transporting hazardous cargo should contact Airfield Management on frequency 318.05, 30 minutes prior to arrival.
Military mobility aircraft are restricted from using the Colorado Springs FBO due to limited parking and potential damage to lighting and unsecured aircraft, unless the FBO can guarantee sufficient parking clearance so that engine thrust blast and reverse thrust will not impact other aircraft, ground personnel, or equipment.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
City of Colorado Springs Municipal has five airfields within 29 NM. The closest is Butts Aaf (fort Carson) (KFCS), 8.09 NM south.
Part of the Denver area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KCOS
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KCOS.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runways are available at KCOS?
Colorado Springs Municipal operates three paved runways. Runway 17L/35R is the longest at 13,500 feet, surfaced in concrete, and 150 feet wide. Runway 17R/35L is asphalt at 11,022 feet, also 150 feet wide. Runway 13/31 rounds out the field at 8,270 feet, likewise asphalt and 150 feet wide. All three widths and the long primary runway make KCOS suitable for a wide range of aircraft types.
Is customs available at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport?
Yes, CBP inspection services are available onsite at Colorado Springs Municipal (KCOS), and a USDA compliance agreement is also in place. One remark notes customs is available for all military and civilian aircraft, with a direct instruction to contact US Customs. This onsite arrangement means crews do not need to route through a separate customs airport of entry. Coordination with US Customs directly remains the standard procedure referenced in the airport's own remarks.
Are there restrictions on turbojet training flights at KCOS?
Yes, turbojet training flights are prohibited at Colorado Springs Municipal between 2300 and 0600 local per the airport's general remarks. This restriction applies specifically to turbojet training operations rather than all traffic during those hours. Separately, B-52 operations are prohibited at the field entirely, reflecting airfield-specific limitations tied to its joint military and civilian use. Crews planning night training sorties or heavy military traffic through KCOS should account for both restrictions.
What fuel is available at KCOS?
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport lists both 100LL and Jet A among its fuel types, with Jet A confirmed as available. A separate remark notes military-grade A-series fuel with a plus-plus designation restricted to military use. Attendance for fuel service is listed as all-day, every day. Dispatchers planning civilian jet fueling at KCOS can expect standard Jet A availability alongside the piston-grade 100LL.
Does KCOS have wildlife hazards or visibility limitations for tower controllers?
Yes, Colorado Springs Municipal reports waterfowl and migratory bird activity on and in the vicinity of the airport. Separately, portions of taxiways A, B, E, F, G, and M are blocked from tower view by obstructions. Portions of taxiway C and runway 17R/35L are also blocked from tower view when the infield military operating surface is occupied by a C-17 or C-5. Crews taxiing through these areas should expect reduced visual coverage from air traffic control at KCOS.