Colorado Springs police are now completely grounded and almost $350,000 richer for it.

The second and final police helicopter sold March 11 at an online government auction for $179,200 to Michael Kratz of Fullerton, N.D., said Carol Rallo, spokeswoman for Colorado Springs Utilities. The utility handles property disposal for the city. The 1970 Bell OH58-C fetched nearly $20,000 more than the starting bid price.

Kratz could not immediately be reached for comment.

The first helicopter, a 1968 Bell OH58-C, sold for $170,000 in late February. The two helicopters were military surplus and given to the city for free.

The police helicopter unit was scrapped and the helicopters put up for sale as a budget balancing measure after the department’s funding was cut by $4 million this year. The helicopters’ old age and high usage meant that breakdowns are so common it’s impossible to accurately estimate a maintenance budget from year to year.

When the unit first started in 1996, the helicopters logged 1,500 to 2,000 flight hours a year. In the last five years, they didn’t log more than 1,000 hours.

The sale price does not include delivery so Kratz is responsible for picking up the helicopter or having it shipped, Rallo said.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

MARK REIS