Perry Stokes Airport strengthens Las Animas County emergency and economy

Perry Stokes Airport, northeast of Trinidad, functions as Las Animas County’s primary regional and general aviation facility and a critical link between residents, industry, and emergency services. The airfield supports medical transport, aerial reconnaissance and logistics during wildfire responses, and routine business flights including air taxi and charter activity. In a county where surface travel distances are long and the road network is rural, those airborne connections materially shorten response times and make some projects feasible.

The airport’s role is practical and immediate. For medical evacuations, air transport reduces travel time to higher level care compared with ground transfers to Front Range airports. During wildfire seasons, airborne reconnaissance and logistics can accelerate containment and resupply for county fire operations. For local companies and visiting energy, contractor, and consulting personnel, Perry Stokes provides a quicker alternative to multi-hour drives, helping preserve time-sensitive contracts and supporting small-business operations that otherwise face steep travel frictions.

Maintaining that capability depends on infrastructure and funding. Small rural airports like Perry Stokes rely on a mix of federal, state and local grants to keep runways, lighting and navigation aids in working order. Runway condition and reliable communications are essential to preserve both emergency readiness and the airport’s economic benefits. When pavement, radios or approach aids falter, the county risks longer response times and lost business opportunities that are costly to replace.

The market implications extend beyond immediate travel savings. Continued operation and upgrades at Perry Stokes help keep Las Animas County competitive for projects that require rapid site access, and they reduce the attrition of time-sensitive service providers. From a policy perspective, prioritizing stable funding for maintenance and communications systems preserves a low-cost insurance policy against worse outcomes during medical emergencies and wildfire events.

Pilots and visitors should check current NOTAMs and contact the airport operator before travel for up-to-date runway and service information. For county officials and residents, the practical choice is clear: sustained investment in Perry Stokes preserves both safety and economic connectivity across a wide rural landscape.

What comes next for Perry Stokes is steady stewardship. Continued grant applications, timely maintenance, and clear communication with the aviation community will determine whether the airport remains a reliable lifeline for medevac, fire response and local commerce—or becomes a capability the county cannot afford to lose.