Regardless of the ethics board’s “technical” conclusion this week , Denver residents know that it is unethical for a public employee to spend $19,200 on a ticket to Spain and back to Denver even if it is for an important work-related conference.

Denver International Airport’s CEO Phil Washington was wrong to allow himself and eight other executives to fly to Madrid in first-class and business class seats that cost an average of $12,000 per person. The final cost of the travel was $108,989, enough to hire another mid-level employee to help run one of the world’s busiest airports.

We found first-class tickets directly to Spain in April of this year for around $7,000. Yes, ticket prices fluctuate, but if prices are at a record peak, the not-too-difficult decision must be made to fly coach

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