Company Urges Commissioners to Restore Direct Communication Over International Terminal Project
By HCA Staff Report – October 28, 2025
At its October 28 regular meeting, the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners heard from only one member of the public: Jim Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Signature Aviation, who delivered a detailed three-minute statement about the company’s exclusion from the county’s Request for Proposals (RFP) at Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE).
Hopkins began by acknowledging that commissioners had already received a formal letter from Signature Aviation regarding the RFP. He explained that the conversation between the county and the company had “gone to your attorney, our attorney,” a situation he described as counter-productive.
“It’s very rare that things get solved by attorneys’ discussions,” Hopkins said. “Each side goes to its corner and you miss the communication part.”
A long partnership with Eagle County
Hopkins emphasized Signature Aviation’s — and its predecessor Vail Valley Jet Center’s — “long history of partnership with Eagle County.” He cited years of cooperation and community investment, including contributions to air-traffic control, hosting local fundraisers, de-icing pad improvements, space adjustments to support a potential fire-bomber base, and donations to community projects such as the City of Gypsum’s interchange and ice rink.
“We’ve been a good partner; you all have been good partners,” he said. “We want to continue that partnership.”
International terminal opportunity and RFP dispute
Hopkins traced the disagreement back about two years, when discussions began over creating a U.S. Customs and Border Protection international terminal at EGE. Signature, he said, enthusiastically supported the idea, calling it “a huge opportunity for the county, the resorts, and all the people to make this an international destination — something that, other than Denver, you don’t have in Colorado.”
After submitting a letter of support, Signature realized the project would require surrendering roughly 20 to 25 percent of its leasehold to accommodate the new facility. The company prepared an alternative proposal but was told by county staff the plan would need to go through a competitive RFP process.
Hopkins said Signature accepted the decision and “reluctantly surrendered” to competition, hiring engineers and designers and producing “a huge array of plans” to participate.
However, three weeks into the RFP process, just before the scheduled pre-conference, the company was informed it had been excluded from consideration.
“We wonder why. I wonder why,” Hopkins told the Board. “It just seems that this process is flawed. It seems that it doesn’t follow the procedures of the county.”
Calling the situation “a matter of lost opportunity, not a legal matter,” he reminded commissioners that the county had already invested about $2 million in the international terminal concept.
“The good ship Opportunity is sailing by,” he said, before closing with an appeal for renewed dialogue. “Because of our experience, our partnership, our willingness to work with you, I’m leaving my letter — but most importantly, my business card. Should you want to open those communications, I would welcome your call.”
County response
County legal counsel thanked Hopkins for his remarks, confirming that Signature Aviation’s counsel and county attorneys remain in contact. The attorney clarified that the RFP process does not include an appeal mechanism under county procurement rules and that Hopkins’ appearance was accepted strictly as public input, not as a hearing or formal appeal.
No additional members of the public spoke.
Other meeting business
Beyond public comment, the Board approved a wide range of routine and policy items:
• Wildfire Mitigation IGA – A $55,000 agreement with the Town of Vail supporting its Wildland Fire Program and Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• Opioid Outreach Contract – A $237,000 partnership with EFFCT LLC for regional awareness and prevention campaigns.
• Facilities Maintenance Contract – A $651,562 agreement with ServiceMaster Commercial Cleaning Solutions.
• Electronic Recording Grant – $33,726 from the state’s Electronic Recording Technology Board to modernize county systems.
• Trail Easement Amendment – Approval to redesign the Creamery Ranch HOA trail system for sustainability.
• Final Bridge Payments – Closing out the 307 Road and Old Salt Creek Road Bridge projects.
• Quarterly Treasurer and Trustee Reports – Acceptance of third-quarter financial summaries.
Building and budget resolutions
Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-101, updating the Exterior Energy Offset Program (EEOP) to include a graduated fee schedule, an exemption for the first 200 sq ft of snowmelt, and a refund process for property owners who later install renewable systems.
They also approved the Fifth Supplemental Budget for 2025, adjusting revenues and expenditures based on higher-than-expected building-permit and sales-tax collections.
Housing, airport, and liquor actions
Meeting as the Eagle County Housing & Development Authority, the Board approved its own supplemental budget. Acting as the Eagle County Air Terminal Corporation, commissioners extended one-year operating agreements with Enterprise, Avis/Budget, Dollar, Sixt, and Hertz, keeping rental-car services stable at EGE.
As the Liquor Licensing Authority, the Board granted:
• A Private Hotel & Restaurant License to Kodiak Private Club, LLC in Basalt.
• A Brew Pub License to Vail Brewing Company in Eagle-Vail.
Work sessions
Consultants from Government Performance Solutions (GPS) presented the draft 2026 Strategic Plan, outlining new accountability measures for county departments.
Later, the Human Services Department warned that the ongoing federal government shutdown could delay SNAP benefits for more than 1,400 Eagle County residents, totaling about $283,000 in November assistance.
The day ended with a budget workshop and a regional housing discussion facilitated by GPS and the Town of Avon.
Next meeting
The next regular meeting of the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 500 Broadway, Eagle.
All sessions are open to the public and livestreamed at ecgtv.com.
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