Save Our Skies Alliance has written local candidates to ask about their positions, as a potential future Broomfield City/County council members, with respect to the impact that the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) has on surrounding communities located in Broomfield. While the airport is owned and operated by Jefferson County, part of the airport is located in Broomfield, and Broomfield receives some tax revenue and economic impact from RMMA operations. Broomfield residents are also impacted by the excessive noise and lead pollution from RMMA operations.
More than 1,700 residents in surrounding communities responded to a survey conducted in July to urge Jefferson County to require that RMMA update the 2011 Master Plan that has been updated every 10-12 years since 1970. A Master Plan update includes updated land use and environs data which is critical for proper environmental assessment of future development and expansion at the airport. JeffCo proposes to delay the Master Plan update until 2028, while continuing to expand operations significantly.
More than 1,700 residents in surrounding communities responded to a survey conducted in July to urge Jefferson County to require that RMMA update the 2011 Master Plan that has been updated every 10-12 years since 1970. A Master Plan update includes updated land use and environs data which is critical for proper environmental assessment of future development and expansion at the airport. JeffCo proposes to delay the Master Plan update until 2028, while continuing to expand operations significantly.
Candidate Questions
RMMA operations impact the daily lives of thousands of Broomfield voters and we want to know how each candidate will prioritize the health impacts of RMMA operations if they are elected to serve Broomfield in November.
1. What kind of priority will you place on this matter?
2. How will it fit in with the rest of your agenda?
3. What action will you take to protect Broomfield City & County residents' health?
1. What kind of priority will you place on this matter?
2. How will it fit in with the rest of your agenda?
3. What action will you take to protect Broomfield City & County residents' health?
Guyleen Castriotta | Mayor
Candidate Website
I do share your concerns about the noise and we need to ensure to elect likeminded people to fight it. I voted for council member Shaff to be Broomfield’s representative on the Community Noise Roundtable.
Austin Ward | Broomfield City Council | Ward 2
Candidate Website
The health and safety of Broomfield's residents and environment are extremely important to me, and you have my commitment to work with everyone in Skyestone, other Broomfield residents, city council, airport businesses/operations, and Jeffco Commissioners to work towards a solution that is agreeable to all parties involved. As I said last night I want to bring everyone together so all have a voice at the table and we
are listening to understand, not just to respond. Solutions can only come about when we work together, and I will work to ensure that Broomfield has a council representative and resident representative at that table.
As I have stated before at a plethora of events and on my website, I want to ensure Broomfield becomes as environmentally sustainable as possible. We have years of research to show what lead does to the environment and to people's health who are exposed to high levels of lead. Flint, MI would be the most recent example that I can think of. Because of this data I will work as hard as I can to ensure that transition to sustainability, and that includes ensuring Rocky Mountain Airport operations are following that transition too. The lead used in piston aircraft is of particular concern, since a significant majority of takeoffs and landings at Rocky Mountain Airport are piston aircraft used by flight schools. While I understand why lead must be used in those aircrafts' fuel, I would like the Jeffco commissioners to push for a transition from fuel to alternative fuel sources, such as battery electric or hydrogen fuel. The jet aircraft will still have to use aviation jet fuel because current alternative fuel sources do not produce enough range or are too heavy for use in jet applications. This push should be put in their master plan, and a new master plan must be published within the next year or two and not 2028.
Thank you for the work you continue to do to ensure Broomfield's residents are heard on this matter and holding the council accountable. I hope to earn the vote of you and your neighbors and look forward to working with you to come to a solution. Please reach out if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns regarding this issue or others.
are listening to understand, not just to respond. Solutions can only come about when we work together, and I will work to ensure that Broomfield has a council representative and resident representative at that table.
As I have stated before at a plethora of events and on my website, I want to ensure Broomfield becomes as environmentally sustainable as possible. We have years of research to show what lead does to the environment and to people's health who are exposed to high levels of lead. Flint, MI would be the most recent example that I can think of. Because of this data I will work as hard as I can to ensure that transition to sustainability, and that includes ensuring Rocky Mountain Airport operations are following that transition too. The lead used in piston aircraft is of particular concern, since a significant majority of takeoffs and landings at Rocky Mountain Airport are piston aircraft used by flight schools. While I understand why lead must be used in those aircrafts' fuel, I would like the Jeffco commissioners to push for a transition from fuel to alternative fuel sources, such as battery electric or hydrogen fuel. The jet aircraft will still have to use aviation jet fuel because current alternative fuel sources do not produce enough range or are too heavy for use in jet applications. This push should be put in their master plan, and a new master plan must be published within the next year or two and not 2028.
Thank you for the work you continue to do to ensure Broomfield's residents are heard on this matter and holding the council accountable. I hope to earn the vote of you and your neighbors and look forward to working with you to come to a solution. Please reach out if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns regarding this issue or others.
Deven Shaff | Broomfield City Council | Ward 3
Candidate Website
As you know I am the alternate member appointed by Broomfield City Council to the RMMA Community Noise Roundtable. I was the most knowledgeable member on the issues of noise resulting for conflicts between RMMA and the land use decisions made by local governments in the past. It was the decision of a majority of the Council to ensure Broomfield took a more moderated position on these noise issues and to ensure
our airport connected businesses were not negatively impacted. I fully acknowledge there are benefits the RMMA has on our region and the City and County of Broomfield. I also acknowledge the noise impacts and complaints have increased due to the increased usage and operations at RMMA. Much of the increase in usage is a result from the Flight Schools and the booming growth in new pilots looking for a new career path or new hobby. Over the past year, I have prioritized serving as the alternate for this group and attending each of the meetings, with the exception of one or two due to previously scheduled commitments.
If elected, I will be seeking the full member of the RMMA Noise Roundtable to better represent the impacts of the residents of the City and County of Broomfield and surrounding communities. I will also spend more time speaking with the various airport businesses and RMMA to fully inform the issues and possible solutions to these issues. Lastly, I will also work with staff to ensure future development is not negatively impacted by noise from RMMA while also finding mitigation strategies for existing residents.
our airport connected businesses were not negatively impacted. I fully acknowledge there are benefits the RMMA has on our region and the City and County of Broomfield. I also acknowledge the noise impacts and complaints have increased due to the increased usage and operations at RMMA. Much of the increase in usage is a result from the Flight Schools and the booming growth in new pilots looking for a new career path or new hobby. Over the past year, I have prioritized serving as the alternate for this group and attending each of the meetings, with the exception of one or two due to previously scheduled commitments.
If elected, I will be seeking the full member of the RMMA Noise Roundtable to better represent the impacts of the residents of the City and County of Broomfield and surrounding communities. I will also spend more time speaking with the various airport businesses and RMMA to fully inform the issues and possible solutions to these issues. Lastly, I will also work with staff to ensure future development is not negatively impacted by noise from RMMA while also finding mitigation strategies for existing residents.
Todd Cohen | Broomfield City Council | Ward 5
Candidate Website
I live on the eastern edge of Ward 5 on Broomfield's eastern edge -- the ward arguably least affected by the RMMA noise – yet I share a kinship with these concerns. Ward 5, along with Ward 4, have been battling the effects of unwanted noise, vibrations and chemicals from oil and gas development near homes. I believe Broomfield residents deserve not only safe and affordable homes but healthy ones as well, so I will make it priority to learn more about RMMA. Being new to council - I was appointed in July -- I know I do not yet know enough to say what actions should be considered or acted upon.
It's my understanding that while the RMMA is an economic driver in our region, its current overall level of activity has increased dramatically. Also, that flight school operations are having a significant impact on noise and traffic. So it is clear these developments deserve the Council and city staff's attention.
I do know that Councilmember Deven Shaff, if re-elected, will seek to represent the council as a full member of the RMMA Community Noise Roundtable. He would be a very strong, loud and committed advocate to represent your concerns to that group and to the full Council. His re-election certainly should be a top priority.
It's my understanding that while the RMMA is an economic driver in our region, its current overall level of activity has increased dramatically. Also, that flight school operations are having a significant impact on noise and traffic. So it is clear these developments deserve the Council and city staff's attention.
I do know that Councilmember Deven Shaff, if re-elected, will seek to represent the council as a full member of the RMMA Community Noise Roundtable. He would be a very strong, loud and committed advocate to represent your concerns to that group and to the full Council. His re-election certainly should be a top priority.