Save our airport. Action Alert!
A group of vocal anti-airport activists wants to destroy our airport, Boulder Municipal (KBDU), in a misguided attempt to reuse the land for urban housing developments. Sign our petition and let the City Council know that Boulder Municipal Airport is worth keeping!
Currently, there are two ballot measure proposals before Boulder voters: One to close the airport and the other to develop 50% affordable housing on the land. Now, because of these measures, the City of Boulder is suing the FAA about the future possibility of closing the airport.
Boulder Municipal Airport: Fostering Climate Research, Economic Growth, and Connectivity
Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU), nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, stands as a vital asset for Boulder, Colorado. Beyond its picturesque charm, the airport brings substantial economic benefits, fosters climate research, and plays a crucial role in the city’s future transportation infrastructure. The airport serves as a local community resource and base for 300+ pilots*, 600+ aviation enthusiasts**, and 30+ students actively pursuing pilot licenses at any given time.
* ~150 motorized pilots, ~160 glider pilots
**Antique Aircraft Association of Colorado, Vintage Aircraft Association of Colorado, Experimental Aircraft Association, Boulder Soaring Society
Boulder’s Economic Engine, Boulder Municipal Airport is a significant driver of the city’s economic prosperity. It generates over $60 million in annual revenue, supporting local businesses, job creation, and tourism. The airport sustains approximately 300 direct and indirect jobs, ranging from pilots and aviation mechanics to transportation and hospitality services. This economic activity, in turn, contributes to the city’s overall fiscal health.
Tourism and Local Business The airport serves as a gateway for tourists visiting Boulder, contributing approximately $15 million annually to the local hospitality industry and retail businesses. It connects visitors to local attractions, restaurants, and shops, thus driving economic growth throughout the region.
(CDOT 2020 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study. https://www.codot.gov/programs/aeronautics/studies-plans-reports/2020ceis)
Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Boulder Community Hospital’s Flight for Life Helicopter is based and serviced at Boulder Airport providing lifesaving emergent transport to city and county residents. The airport serves as a lifeline during emergencies and natural disasters. It provides a critical access point for first responders and disaster relief teams, ensuring a rapid and efficient response in times of crisis. Rescue operations during the 2013 flood were the second largest air response in US history after Hurricane Katrina’s. Boulder’s airport is an essential asset for the city’s safety and resilience.
Boulder’s Hub for Climate Research Boulder is renowned for its thriving climate research community, with several local companies and prestigious universities leading the way. These institutions, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of Colorado Boulder, conduct cutting-edge research on climate change, atmospheric science, and environmental sustainability.
Partnerships with Local Researchers Boulder Airport companies NEON Science and Scientific Aviation collaborate closely with these local research entities, offering a unique platform for airborne climate research. Researchers at these institutions utilize the airport as a base for local, national, and international scientific flights, data collection, and monitoring. This collaboration not only enhances our understanding of climate-related challenges but positions Boulder as a hub for climate innovation.
NEON Science https://www.neonscience.org/resources/research-support/aop-flight-campaigns
Scientific Aviation https://www.scientificaviation.com/about/
Boulder is the first airport in Colorado to have installed on ramp charging stations for coming electric flight. One half of Boulder Soaring Society’s fleet is now self-launching and it has taken delivery of its first fully electric self-launching glider. Journey’s Aviation flight school has taken delivery of 2 highly efficient, quiet, European Pipistrel training aircraft as part of fleet upgrade.
The FAA is aggressively finalizing removal of lead and transition to fully unleaded aviation fuel. The airport eagerly awaits and reportedly is first in line for Colorado sale of a universal fully unleaded Avgas pending FAA national release. This fuel is a complete replacement for ALL leaded fuel at Boulder airport
Boulder’s Vision Boulder Municipal Airport is poised to play a crucial role in the city’s future transportation infrastructure. As the city grows, it will become increasingly important to provide efficient and sustainable transportation options. The airport can serve as a multi-modal transportation hub, connecting electric air travel with ground transportation, such as buses, light rail, and rideshare services, creating a seamless, eco-friendly transit experience.
Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Boulder Community Hospital’s Flight for Life Helicopter is based and serviced at Boulder Airport providing lifesaving emergent transport to city and county residents. The airport serves as a lifeline during emergencies and natural disasters. It provides a critical access point for first responders and disaster relief teams, ensuring a rapid and efficient response in times of crisis. Rescue operations during the 2013 flood were the second largest air response in US history after Hurricane Katrina’s. Boulder’s airport is an essential asset for the city’s safety and resilience.
The airport fosters a sense of community and aviation education. It hosts weekly events, airshows, and educational programs that engage residents and inspire future aviators. These initiatives cultivate an appreciation for aviation, STEM education, and career opportunities within the aerospace industry. The Boulder Airport partners with EAA Chapter 1627 to provide Young Eagles Rallies throughout the year, offering free educational flights to kids aged 8-17. Since 2019, more than 400 local children have benefited from the Young Eagles initiative, fostering careers in aviation, aerospace, science and engineering.
The Airport also works with multiple organizations to provide educational scholarships for students to obtain their pilot’s license. We have proudly awarded scholarships to eight students in the past five years, and currently four of these students are actively training at Boulder Airport to become pilots.
Boulder Airport has collaborated with both Vista Village and San Lazaro Manufactured Home Communities to foster a deeper connection and provide educational opportunities to children and families living in these communities that neighbor the airport.
Educational scholarship sources have included:
EAA chapter 1627, EAA National, Aircraft Owners Pilot Association, Women in Aviation International, The 99s, Colorado Pilots Association, Soaring Society of America, Antique Aircraft Association of Colorado, and Colorado Aviation Business Association.
FAA Position
(4/27/23 excerpt from FAA letter to Boulder City Council)
“It is FAA’s policy to strengthen the national airports system and not to support the closure of public airports. The FAA has rarely approved an application to close an airport. Such approvals were only in highly unusual circumstances where closing the airport provided a benefit to civil aviation.”
Read the letter from the FAA to Boulder City Council
Following an inquiry by the City to the FAA to provide “a better understanding of the FAA’s position,” the FAA responded with a second letter, dated March 20, 2024. This second letter re-emphasized that the City’s obligations to the FAA to maintain the airport are perpetual and do not expire after 20 years from the date of grant acceptance.
Boulder Municipal Airport is more than just a picturesque airstrip; it’s a catalyst for economic growth, a hub for climate research, a contributor to climate change mitigation, and a source of education and community engagement. As Boulder continues to evolve, the airport remains a valuable asset, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike. By nurturing this essential piece of infrastructure, Boulder can look forward to a more prosperous, research-driven, and connected future.
For more information, contact: saveboulderairport24@gmail.com
