This Winter Travel Season, Tech is Playing an Important Role in Denver’s Aviation Security

It may not be a surprise for those who frequently travel during the holidays, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed that on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, 2.9 million jet setters officially broke a record for most airline passengers on a single day.

Government officials forecasted a record travel season and TSA saw 7 of the 10 busiest travel days in the agency’s history in 2023 alone. Here at home, the Denver International Airport (DIA) prepared for nearly 800,000 people to travel through the airport’s security checkpoints throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, and DIA saw its “busiest air travel day” of the season on December 21.

READ: Colorado’s ‘Small but Mighty’ International Tourists — A Powerful Economic Force

With the winter travel season in full swing, much attention has rightly been paid to the security protocols at our nation’s airports. DIA has struggled to contend with the barrage of travelers boarding flights to destinations across the world. In June, the airport’s security lines stretched into the baggage claim areas as a record-breaking 6.7 million passengers passed through the airport’s checkpoints. Unfortunately, these historic figures have been accompanied by a string of troubling security incidents. In September, all operations at the airport were temporarily suspended after a passenger was able to get through security with a gun. The same protocol was triggered in early November after a passenger was able to simply walk past a security checkpoint. 

While the airport has announced it will open new security checkpoints early next year, there has been a concerted effort to make security screening more effective and efficient. One of the ways DIA is improving its safety procedures is by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the screening process.

Earlier this month, DIA participated in a pilot program where it deployed an innovative AI-enabled security system that utilizes millimeter-wave technology and 3D imaging to identify dangerous and prohibited items at airports, even if they are non-metal goods. The technology can detect items such as liquids, powders, and even ceramic and plastic weapons. Additionally, the system does not require any physical contact, and individuals can keep their jackets on and everyday items in their pockets. Privacy concerns are one of the most important considerations when implementing new screening procedures — thankfully, the system tested at DIA does not retain images of individuals who are screened.

READ: Denver Ranked 3rd Nationally in New Study for ‘Future-Readiness’

For the time being, the AI system at DIA is only equipped for airport employee screening amid concerns of criminal gangs exploiting gaps in security to infiltrate airports. While this application is already having a positive effect on airport safety, the technology is also showing signs of expanded utility beyond employee screening. 

We can only hope this type of technology will be integrated into the passenger screening process as well. However, DIA’s willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance the airport’s operations represents an important step forward in bolstering aviation security and improving efficiency. Furthermore, as competition continues to fuel innovation in the tech sector, I am confident that AI, 3D imaging, and other technological advancements will serve as indispensable tools to help the travelers get to their destinations safer and faster. 

 

Jeff Price headshotJeffrey Price is recognized as a leading “Aviation Security and Airport Management” expert by U.S. Federal Courts and is a professor in the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

How Aspen Groves Are Driving Economic Growth in Colorado’s Mountain Communities

Sharing a massive root system, the aspen grove atop Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and Somerset is one of the largest living things on Earth. When its leaves turn from green to gold and red, it’s also a tourism engine.

Andrew Sandstron, marketing director for the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership, says the county’s lodging tax income reflects the trend. “September is second only to July for us and has been consistently for a number of years,” he says.

READ: Top Company 2023 — Tourism & Hospitality

In September 2015, the county’s lodging tax receipts totaled $209,000. That’s roughly doubled to $400,000 in recent years. 

“Historically, we have our shoulder season when kids go back to school, and not until we open the ski resort does it bump up again,” says Sandstrom. “The biggest growth area in the last 10 or 15 years has been that late summer shoulder season. We still see a big drop-off on August 15 when all the kids go back to school, but September pops up again.”

Between annual events like Vinotok and the Mt. Crested Butte Beer and Chili Festival — not to mention uncrowded fly-fishing and mountain biking — the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership has strategically aimed to push some of the area’s peak summer traffic into fall. 

“One of the issues in these mountain communities is the booms and busts of business, where July is slammed and October, there’s nothing, then December is slammed, then April, there’s nothing again,” Sandstrom says. “By building up those shoulders — and that fall shoulder season is our biggest growing one — it helps us level out the booms and busts of our economy and allows our businesses to better stay open and offer jobs year-round. It helps us to smooth out our economy.” 

It’s not just Kebler Pass. The state’s other aspen hotspots also reap economic benefits from the turning leaves. The aspen on Kenosha Pass “are important to the Bailey business economy, and people do count on seeing them,” says Robb Green, president of the Platte Canyon Chamber of Commerce in nearby Bailey. “We always joke that we go from the summertime RV and boat show on U.S. 285 to the leaf peepers. Once the leaves are done, winter’s in. Winters are tougher for businesses up here.” 

Jim Myers, proprietor of Sasquatch Outpost, a tourist attraction in Bailey, says the fall colors drive visitation after the peak summer season. “Things would normally slow down mid-September to mid-October, which is when the leaves are at their height, because the kids are back in school, summer traffic has died down, but we’ve found we definitely have an uptick in that period because of people coming through to go look at the leaves.” 

In a good year, the bump lasts for about two weeks, Myers adds, but Mother Nature doesn’t guarantee anything. “It depends on the year. There are years when we don’t have the leaves. It depends on the rain. There are years where the leaf season almost is nonexistent, because it comes and leaves — no pun intended — very quickly.”

 

Denver-based writer Eric Peterson is the author of Frommer’s Colorado, Frommer’s Montana & Wyoming, Frommer’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks and the Ramble series of guidebooks, featuring first-person travelogues covering everything from atomic landmarks in New Mexico to celebrity gone wrong in Hollywood. Peterson has also recently written about backpacking in Yosemite, cross-country skiing in Yellowstone and downhill skiing in Colorado for such publications as Denver’s Westword and The New York Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected]

Traveling in the age of COVID-19: a checklist for ease

Although not a deluge, many travelers are traveling again.

Travel has changed in some ways and not at all. Even in the safest circumstances travel can be unpredictable. We still need to prepare, create thoughtful plans and figure out basic logistics especially to stay healthy.

Here’s a “Checklist For Ease” with what to do ahead of, during and after travel.

When Planning

  • Work with a travel advisor (such as one from The Travel Society*). We’re “in the know” and take great care to make sure plans fit your needs.
  • Explore non-stop flights. Minimize connecting flights if possible.
  • Be clear on cancellation and refund policies. Although there’s much more flexibility than pre-Covid, it’s good to understand how to protect your travel investment.
  • Understand that you might be required to sign some waivers

Before Departure

  • Research the destination. Knowledge is power.
  • Explore the State’s Health Services website to learn about current restrictions and protocols for travelers. Typically you can dig deeper and uncover current health statistics for the county you’re visiting.
  • You might also find traveler information on the destination’s Office of Tourism website. For example, for my upcoming trip to Tucson, I checked out Arizona’s information on their visitors’ website. It combines data and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of State, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Office of Arizona Governor.

For International Travel

  • Review the U.S. State Department information for that country.
  • Entry requirements for that country often found on the official tourism website (A negative Covid test as well as travel insurance, for example, might be a requirement).
  • Determine whether there are testing requirements and or mandatory health forms that need to be submitted at time of travel and or for access into the country.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment program.
  • Become familiar with health and safety practices at your accommodations. Peruse the accommodation’s website for Covid-specific information.
    • Most properties have elevated their cleanliness and precautions so that guests stay healthy and feel safe. For example for an upcoming trip to Miraval Tucson, the resort shares a Safety First, Well-Being Always summary explaining its policies thought the resort. Providing assurance and specific practices has become the norm within the travel industry.
  • Procure a COVID-test ahead of travel. For some destinations this will be a requirement. Although not required at all locations, you might want a test for assurance that you’re not putting fellow travelers, friends and loved ones at risk. You can request a test seventy-two hours prior to departure from your doctor or choose the rapid test right before leaving or upon arrival. Many airports offer these tests as well as Urgent Care centers.
  • Learn about the medical facilities at the destination especially if traveling internationally.
  • Purchase travel insurance is a must if sojourning to a foreign country. You want coverage for medical as well as accommodations for quarantine in case you’re exposed while traveling.
  • Bring extra documentation. Some states and countries require a recent COVID test as well as a copy of your travel insurance with particular coverage specified. Bring a copy of any prescriptions.
  • Chat with your physician to learn of any other suggestions and or concerns.

The Day Before Departure

  • Enjoy an immunity drip! It’s flu seasonably the way.Take a look again at the destinations website to be sure nothing has changed
  • Don’t make any items on the checklist a big deal. It’s just something you need to take care of.

While Traveling

  • Be extra careful, just like you are at home.
  • Wear a face-mask and socially distance.
  • Be independent by packing what you need. You don’t want to run errands inside a store. Include extra medications, face masks and hand sanitizer.

When You Return Home

  • Continue to be extra careful.
  • Catch up on sleep, eat well and let your body recover from the trip.
  • If possible stay at home for a few days, isolating a little bit just to know that all is well!

Although this list offers many practical suggestions for navigating travel during Covid-19, ease is also a mindset. Enjoy the opportunity to travel, no matter what.

Photo Amy Quinn, Headshot Amy Quinn, founder of Spirit Road Travel, is a travel expert and has been focused these past few months on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people’s ability to travel. Her work has also uncovered an interesting outcome in regards to people’s current perception of travel and a search for more meaningful experiences.