News
Letters to the editor: Closing airport could put us in danger
By Carl Lawrence, August 26, 2024
In 1976 I returned to Colorado after my time in the Air Force on the day following the Big Thompson Flood. The remnants of that storm had just flooded much of Aurora, making it challenging to get to my siblings. In 1977 I drove Hot-Shot crews to forest fires and delivered electrical generators to farmers during the 1979 ice storms in the eastern plains, while in the Colorado National Guard. We were given evacuation notices in 1989 as ash from another foothills fire was landing on our newly built home just north of Boulder. In life, emergencies happen. Who knows what the next one will be?
The anti-airport people calling themselves the Airport Neighborhood Campaign claim they know. They claim that the Boulder Municipal Airport would not be needed for any future disaster. They claim that a couple thousand square feet of concrete is all that is needed for emergency preparedness.
Would a slab of concrete be able to handle the country’s second largest airlift in history, as the Boulder airport did that September in 2013? Not even close. During the flood and for many days following, our airport was completely occupied by first responders, the Colorado National Guard and active duty military. The terminal building was crowded with command and control personnel, the entire apron was full of helicopters and support equipment. Even the individually rented T-hangars were being used for supplies and sleeping quarters for the military personnel. The entire airport was used for that emergency.
The anti-airport campaigners may be ignorant and naive about emergencies, but their misguided efforts could put our community in danger if they succeed in closing our airport.
Carl Lawrence, Boulder
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Guest opinion: Adrian Nye: Boulder’s airport problems are already being solved
By Adrian Nye, August 18, 2024
By the time Boulder airport could close in 2040, the main reasons now given for closing it will likely be much improved or gone: Noise and leaded fuel.
It’s crazy but true — most training aircraft now in use were built in the 1970s, over 50 years ago. They are ancient noisy gas guzzlers, getting more expensive to buy, fuel and maintain. While still safe with proper maintenance, they can’t last forever. A new generation is gradually becoming more practical and economically smart. Journeys Aviation flight school at Boulder airport is already operating two new, much quieter training aircraft that use half the fuel. Next year the FAA MOSAIC initiative will further encourage a transition to quieter aircraft. By 2040, my bet is that nearly all training aircraft will be newer and quieter. These aircraft are also great for towing gliders.
Boulder is slowing the transition to unleaded fuel by not taking Federal and state grants, but leaded fuel will be banned by 2030 by EPA order. So that problem will soon be gone as well.
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Letters to the editor: Airport is a vital part of the lives of those who operate it
By Clint Elkins, August 17, 2024
I am writing with concern over the efforts to shut down the Boulder Municipal Airport. Many people are trying to get it shut down over very unreasonable and foolish complaints. My main concern is as a student pilot, without that airport, I cannot continue to fly. If it were to be shut down I would have to find a new airport, a new instructor and a new plane. As well as needing to refamiliarize myself with the local airspace. That would end up costing me immensely in both time and money. As well, my friends at the airport in the line crew employees and the instructors, would all be out of a job. I know some of the crew will soon be entering college and to lose their job as they enter their freshman year would be terrible for their morale and ability to pay for household and living expenses.
I implore you to use your platform to show support for the airport which has been a long-standing institution in Boulder and is a vital part of the lives of those who operate it and within it.
Clint Elkins, Berthoud
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Opinion: Steve Pomerance: How not to decide the future of the Boulder airport
By Steve Pomerance, August 9, 2024
For Thursday night the city council scheduled consideration of this motion regarding legal action about the future of the airport: “Motion to authorize the city attorney to initiate and pursue litigation against the United States of America, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Michael G. Whitaker in his official capacity as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to obtain a judicial determination of the duration of the city’s obligation to continue operating the Boulder Municipal Airport.” Since I’m writing this prior to the council meeting, I cannot comment on the outcome, though I suspect it will be rubber-stamped.
When I saw this motion announced on Monday, I was baffled. First, the city attorney had already filed the lawsuit on Friday, July 26, almost two weeks ago, per the lawsuit’s signature page. And the city has asserted that the city attorney has the authority to file this on her own. So why is the council now, after the fact, claiming to be “authorizing the city attorney to initiate” this legal action? Second, the Motion’s even-handed language “to obtain a judicial determination of the duration of the city’s obligation to continue operating the Boulder Municipal Airport” is nothing like the strong language in the already-filed lawsuit, which asserts that the city has the unilateral right to close the airport when certain agreements with the FAA expire around 2042. Third, the Agenda item asserts that there has been no “Public Feedback.” But I pointed out these issues to the Council and staff early Monday afternoon, almost immediately after this became public. What is going on?
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Tayer: Ground the red herring and save our airport
By John Tayor, August 6, 2024
What initially began as complaints about airport noise suddenly has become a pitched battle over saving one of Boulder’s most valuable transportation, public safety, scientific research and economic vitality resources … all in pursuit of a red herring.
A few years back, the city began updating the Boulder Municipal Airport master plan. During the public process phase, some residents shared the vision of an airport facility that ushered in the latest technology developments, including unleaded fuels and electric planes, along with other business and recreational flight services.
Other strong voices argued for curtailing airport operations due to the noise it created and perceived environmental impacts. Concerns about inappropriate airplane noise and pollution are legitimate issues to address in a master planning process, as we should always work to limit the negative impacts of municipal facility operations.
Soon, though, those isolated neighborhood voice grew louder and more aggressive, calling for closure of the airport — a nearly 100-year community resource and a $94 million annual economic asset. The change in tone corresponded with a new notion of seceding the airport land to affordable housing development. This new alignment of interests grew the posse of voices attacking the airport … thus leading to this fall’s ballot initiative that calls for closing the Boulder Municipal Airport.
Do you smell a rotten fish?
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Boulder Airport Day shows variety of ways to get involved with aviation
By Andrea Grajeda, June 16, 2024
Pilots, aircraft enthusiasts and community members watched vintage planes take flight while learning more about the local aviation community during Airport Day at the Boulder Municipal Airport on Sunday.
Kent Katnik, president of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1627 in Boulder and host of Airport Day, said the organization is aimed to unite anyone interested in aviation.
The Boulder chapter also hosts Young Eagles flights, a program that gives kids ages 8-17 the opportunity to fly in a general aviation airplane as a passenger. Kent Katnik said since the chapter’s founding in 2019, members have flown approximately 575 kids in their planes.
“We’ve had this awareness that there are underserved communities within our ranks, and we want to reach out to them. We want to do our part to show people this pathway,” Kent Katnik said.
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Letters to the editor: Airport is a place for Boulder’s youth to learn
By Diego Lecaros, Boulder, June 14, 2024
Youth are underrepresented in the conversation to close Boulder airport. I am a 15-year-old. The airport provides me with countless opportunities. I have learned about building aircraft, interacted with professionals across generations, and given back to the community.
It’s argued the airport is for a select few. This is not the case. The airport provides facilities for young people interested in aviation and science. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) teaches youth about engineering, construction, and airplane maintenance. The Young Eagles get to fly with volunteer pilots and, for many, experience flying for the first time at no cost. Aviation careers are reliable, well-compensated and fulfilling. The airport provides experiences necessary for youth to pursue aviation careers, without a college degree.
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Opinion: Jan Burton: Boulder should lead the future of aviation
By Jan Burton, April 16, 2024
Recent cries to decommission the Boulder Municipal Airport come with unintended consequences. The entire airspace over Boulder would open up for flight paths in and out of nearby airports, including Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and DIA. In fact, the airspace over Boulder could easily become a practice area for neighboring flight schools. We should assume Boulder’s aviation noise and pollution could increase — by a lot.
So, a small group of neighbors who chose to live close to the Boulder airport would see an improvement in airplane noise and pollution, but the rest of Boulder’s residents would suffer.
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Opinion: Jan Burton: Boulder’s rich housing possibilities negate airport closure
By Jan Burton, March 29, 2024
My March 14 column in the Daily Camera discussed the outpouring of support for the Boulder Municipal Airport. More than 10,000 people have now signed the petition to support the airport because of emergency services, pilot training and soaring, the economic contribution, recognition of the airport as a transportation hub, and its contribution to “community-building.”
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Opinion: Jan Burton: Community shows broad support for Boulder’s airport
By Jan Burton, March 14, 2024
According to a recent petition survey, the Boulder Municipal Airport enjoys astoundingly high levels of support from the community. Within the first two weeks, a petition organized by the Boulder Airport Association in cooperation with other airport user groups garnered more than 9,000 signatures in support of keeping the airport. More than 3,500 pro-airport signatures came from City of Boulder and Boulder County residents alone.
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Guest opinion: Harry Ross: Boulder airport must make unleaded fuel available, encourage its adoption
By Harry Ross, November 8, 2023
Boulder’s natural beauty and forward-thinking policies make this a wonderful place to live. We are additionally so very fortunate to have the local knowledge, skills and resources that allow us to remain agile and keep pace with an ever-changing world.
Every child (and adult) deserves to live in an environment that is safe and free of danger. Each day we expose ourselves to many risks, known and unknown, some we can control, some we can’t. Lead is both a known and controllable risk that can and must be addressed right now.