Denver Airport to Spruce Up Bathrooms

Sure, travelers typically judge the quality of airports based on such attributes as security lines, parking availability and overall layout.

But one bad experience with a dirty or outdated bathroom, and that can all go in the, uh, toilet.

Denver International Airport, recognizing that the appearance and overall state of bathroom facilities can make or break a reputation, will remodel and upgrade all of its 60 public restrooms in coming years.

The project includes adding new tile and fixtures, slapping on some new paint schemes and expanding stalls. DIA will shell out millions of dollars on the improvements, although the airport said it has not come up with an overall estimate.

"People pay a lot of attention to bathrooms," DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon said. "It's an important part of the travel experience to most people, so we want to make them as nice and comfortable as we can."

The restrooms will be bathed in bright oranges, reds and blues, and DIA will install some new low-flush toilets.

But travelers probably will be most interested in the expansion of individual stalls, meant to allow users to bring their bags in with them - and still shut the door.

"I've seen people go into stalls in the bathroom and leave their (bags) outside because there isn't enough room inside," Cannon said. "People don't like to leave luggage where they can't see it, and unattended bags cause suspicion."

Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina is funding a similar upgrade, remodeling restrooms in one of its concourses for people with large carry-on bags.

DIA will start the project by remodeling four heavily used bathrooms in the center of its main terminal, where passengers often congregate.

The airport is accepting contractor proposals for those rest- rooms and hopes to complete them by May 2008.

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