HIGHEST COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN NORTH AMERICA RE-OPENED FOLLOWING RENOVATION

 Telluride Regional Airport (T! EX) completes $22 million construction project

 Dec. 17, 2009, Telluride, Colo., … Local officials and community supporters, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, gathered on the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) reconstructed runway today to celebrate the official re-opening of the airport. Heralded as the Best Airport for Mountain & Resort Flying in the U.S. / Canada, today’s event was a recognition of the completion of Phase II of the airport’s reconstruction—a modernization project that included the removal of the existing runway, reducing grades, widening safety areas, extending the length of the runway and adding all new runway lighting, offering both commercial and general aviation pilots a much smoother landing. Phase III o! f the reconstruction will likely begin in 2010 and will widen the remaining safety areas and add an engineered material arresting system (EMASS). “Located only four miles from the heart of our resort towns, the airport is an inherent component of visitors’ experience to Telluride,” said Scott McQuade, CEO of the Telluride Tourism Board. “We want to provide the easiest and most comfortable access to our world-class vacation destination. The airport provides just that.” Throughout the winter season, two daily arrivals and departures are available directly to both Denver and Phoenix. “Every Telluride resident and business owner is dependent on visitors coming to town, having a good time and then coming back again,” said Rich Nuttall, the airport manager. “That opportuni! ty begins with the long-term functionality of the airport; which this reconstruction helps to provide.” Community and airport members on hand to celebrate the airport’s reopening included: • John Micetic, TEX chairman • Ed Roufa, TEX vice chairman • Rich Nuttall, TEX airport manager • Scott McQuade, Telluride Tourism Board CEO • Chuck Howell, Great Lakes Airline CEO • Neil Armstrong Downloadable photos from today’s airport re-opening can be accessed at www.kruzic.com by clicking on ! “Client List” and then “Downloadable Photography” under Telluride Tourism Board. Information and video footage from today’s airport re-opening can be accessed at http://www.digitalvnr.com/newsroom and http://www.digitalvnr.com/newsroom/tex_airport_dec_17_2009.mpg For more information on the town of Telluride, visit www.visittelluride.com. For downloadable photos of TEX, visit www.tellurideairport.com. -end-