DENVER — A key lifeline for rural communities may soon be cut.

Small commercial airports in Colorado and nationwide may see flight cancellations if the government shutdown continues.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) would lapse Sunday if the government doesn't reopen by then. EAS provides federal subsidies to commercial airlines to serve small, rural airports that would not otherwise have commercial air service. This includes the airports in Cortez, Pueblo, and Alamosa in Colorado, as well as 174 other communities nationwide.

"Air carriers that continue to operate EAS flights beyond October 12, 2025, would do so at their own risk, as the Department may not be able to pay the contracted subsidy," the Department of Transportati

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