Informational archive regarding the planning of BDU's future
October 23, 2023 | Colorado leaders listen at Community Listening Session
Colorado citizens came from up and down the Front Range to speak at and attend the Listening Session at the Superior Community Center. The large room was packed and overflowing onto the patio. On the dais listening were Judy Amabile (D49), Kyle Brown (D12), AG Phil Weiser, Senate President Steve Fenberg (D18), and Representative Ruby Dickson (D37) from Centennial. Many citizens spoke passionately about how their lives have been deeply negatively impacted by general aviation. Each leader on the dais told the audience that they heard them and would be looking into the matter.
October 20, 2023 | Avery Brewing decides not to host pilot event
Airport supporters continue to offer events to the public that glorify flying and encourage young people to try it, such as through programs like Young Eagles.
In the guise of a news story, on October 18, the Daily Camera reported,
"A glider from the Boulder Municipal Airport will be set up on display from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Avery Brewing in Boulder, 4910 Nautilus Court.
Members of the public will be able to learn more about ways to be involved at the Boulder Municipal Airport, including scholarships for youth and volunteer opportunities. The airport offers grants for kids to get their pilots certificate and has a program that offers free flights to kids ages 8 to 17.
Boulder Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport, providing business, private, recreational and emergency aviation services to Boulder and surrounding communities." Boulder Airport glider to be on display this Saturday. Yes, the Daily Camera treats this as news.
Fortunately, Avery Brewing saw through the ruse. Local activists contacted Avery. When the Avery management understood that this was a promotion for noise and lead pollution and that community members may boycott their business, they cancelled the event at their brewery. Perhaps the event will be moved elsewhere.
In the guise of a news story, on October 18, the Daily Camera reported,
"A glider from the Boulder Municipal Airport will be set up on display from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Avery Brewing in Boulder, 4910 Nautilus Court.
Members of the public will be able to learn more about ways to be involved at the Boulder Municipal Airport, including scholarships for youth and volunteer opportunities. The airport offers grants for kids to get their pilots certificate and has a program that offers free flights to kids ages 8 to 17.
Boulder Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport, providing business, private, recreational and emergency aviation services to Boulder and surrounding communities." Boulder Airport glider to be on display this Saturday. Yes, the Daily Camera treats this as news.
Fortunately, Avery Brewing saw through the ruse. Local activists contacted Avery. When the Avery management understood that this was a promotion for noise and lead pollution and that community members may boycott their business, they cancelled the event at their brewery. Perhaps the event will be moved elsewhere.
October 4, 2023 | Boulder Aviation Association hosts candidate forum at BDU
For the pilot community, controlling the two Airport Community Conversation open houses wasn't enough propaganda.
On October 4, the Boulder Aviation Association hosted a City Council candidate and mayoral candidate event at a hanger (where all infrastructure is subsidized by the public) to gin up support. They invited candidates and provided framing questions for them to answer, such as,
"1. Boulder airport contributes to various industries such as tourism, business, climate research and emergency services. How will you work to maximize these benefits and ensure our airport remains a valuable asset to the city? Where do you stand on the airport’s future? [preferred 2-min answer]"
"5. Boulder airport should be a center for educational programs focusing on aviation. How would you support initiatives that encourage young people to pursue careers in aviation, aerospace, engineering and related fields?"
If you were a candidate invited to an event hosted by airport supporters, it might be hard to express thoughts you know they don't want to hear. But, if you're a candidate and a supporter, it's a great place for you. The Daily Camera reports,
"Councilmember Bob Yates, who is running for mayor, drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd when he asked why the community is “wasting a whole lot of time” talking about closing the airport given potential hurdles the city might face in doing that. He also said many community members may not be aware of the economic and recreational value the airport brings." [We are not prisoners of the FAA or the airport. It may take time, but we can separate ourselves from the FAA and maybe not even close the airport if we get local control. -Ed.]
"A few candidates, such as Aaron Neyer and Jenny Robins, were unambiguous in their support for keeping the airport open, even though they acknowledged that Boulder badly needs more housing, and some of the community’s biggest complaints about the airport, such as noise and pollution, need to be addressed.
“Affordable housing is obviously a huge issue that we need to address. But I’ve heard a lot of perspectives, and … I think there are way better options for affordable housing rather than using the airport,” Neyer said. He also added he sees the airport as a vehicle for technological innovation. [The 179 acre plot used by the airport is the last large developable plot in Boulder. It is a rare opportunity to create a planned, sustainable, low impact community that would provide housing, services, and tax revenue, as opposed to serving 120 tenants as it does now. -Ed.]
A swath of the audience started applauding after council candidate Jacques Decalo said he favored “proper redevelopment and infill of vacant lots and vacant office buildings” and using other available space in the city for housing before looking at redeveloping the airport." [There is not enough infill space to come close to what that 179 acres could support. Building piecemeal is what we're doing now, how's that working out? -Ed.]
City Council and mayoral candidate forum places Boulder Municipal Airport's Future front and center.
These quotes show that misinformation about BDU is alive and thriving, and airport supporters are feeding that.
On October 4, the Boulder Aviation Association hosted a City Council candidate and mayoral candidate event at a hanger (where all infrastructure is subsidized by the public) to gin up support. They invited candidates and provided framing questions for them to answer, such as,
"1. Boulder airport contributes to various industries such as tourism, business, climate research and emergency services. How will you work to maximize these benefits and ensure our airport remains a valuable asset to the city? Where do you stand on the airport’s future? [preferred 2-min answer]"
"5. Boulder airport should be a center for educational programs focusing on aviation. How would you support initiatives that encourage young people to pursue careers in aviation, aerospace, engineering and related fields?"
If you were a candidate invited to an event hosted by airport supporters, it might be hard to express thoughts you know they don't want to hear. But, if you're a candidate and a supporter, it's a great place for you. The Daily Camera reports,
"Councilmember Bob Yates, who is running for mayor, drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd when he asked why the community is “wasting a whole lot of time” talking about closing the airport given potential hurdles the city might face in doing that. He also said many community members may not be aware of the economic and recreational value the airport brings." [We are not prisoners of the FAA or the airport. It may take time, but we can separate ourselves from the FAA and maybe not even close the airport if we get local control. -Ed.]
"A few candidates, such as Aaron Neyer and Jenny Robins, were unambiguous in their support for keeping the airport open, even though they acknowledged that Boulder badly needs more housing, and some of the community’s biggest complaints about the airport, such as noise and pollution, need to be addressed.
“Affordable housing is obviously a huge issue that we need to address. But I’ve heard a lot of perspectives, and … I think there are way better options for affordable housing rather than using the airport,” Neyer said. He also added he sees the airport as a vehicle for technological innovation. [The 179 acre plot used by the airport is the last large developable plot in Boulder. It is a rare opportunity to create a planned, sustainable, low impact community that would provide housing, services, and tax revenue, as opposed to serving 120 tenants as it does now. -Ed.]
A swath of the audience started applauding after council candidate Jacques Decalo said he favored “proper redevelopment and infill of vacant lots and vacant office buildings” and using other available space in the city for housing before looking at redeveloping the airport." [There is not enough infill space to come close to what that 179 acres could support. Building piecemeal is what we're doing now, how's that working out? -Ed.]
City Council and mayoral candidate forum places Boulder Municipal Airport's Future front and center.
These quotes show that misinformation about BDU is alive and thriving, and airport supporters are feeding that.
September 2023 | Community input part of Airport Community Conversation is ended
After a final Community Working Group (CWG) meeting in September, with no further open houses or community events scheduled, it appears that the community input portion of the Airport Community Conversation Project is over.
Not that it makes much difference. Most non aviation people were never aware of the project in the first place. Also, there seems to be no output from the CWG. The only other output for the public was the content presented at the two open houses, which were framed by aviation supporters.
It is rumored this project cost in the ballpark of $350,000.
Not that it makes much difference. Most non aviation people were never aware of the project in the first place. Also, there seems to be no output from the CWG. The only other output for the public was the content presented at the two open houses, which were framed by aviation supporters.
It is rumored this project cost in the ballpark of $350,000.
August 24, 2023 | City Council tasks staff and Kimley-Horn to carry on
On Agust 24, the project team presented an update to City Council regarding the Airport Community Conversation. Links to the session video, study session materials, and presentation are available at https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/airport-community-conversation. (Scroll down, see Resources for for Aug. 24, 2023 material.)
The plan seems to be for City Council to make some decisions in January, 2024. At that time new City Council members will be seated and staff will provide another update to the Council.
The plan seems to be for City Council to make some decisions in January, 2024. At that time new City Council members will be seated and staff will provide another update to the Council.
July 17, 2023
Despite multiple complaints from various sources, it seems Kimley-Horn and City staff push on, continuing to base decision about the airport on "squeaky wheel" input process. This is reflected in the on line survey, and will likely be reflected in tomorrow's open house. It's clear that this process is not at all representative and is quite biased in favor of airport vested interests. Several local activists have privately called this the worst community engagement project they have seen. Kimley-Horn is being paid on the order of $250K - $350K to manage this project.
Numbers of comments seems to be a, if not 'the', key factor in decision making. For this reason, we need as much participation as possible in the open house tomorrow, and other upcoming events.
TOMORROW, Tue, 7/18, 4:00 - 6:00PM is the Airport Community Conversation Open House 2, https://bouldercolorado.gov/events/airport-community-conversation-open-house-2. We encourage everyone to attend and share your opinion, as many times as possible.
Airport Community Conversation Open House 2
Tue, 7/18, 4:00 - 6:00PM
Via Mobility Services
2855 63rd Street
Boulder, CO 80301
Numbers of comments seems to be a, if not 'the', key factor in decision making. For this reason, we need as much participation as possible in the open house tomorrow, and other upcoming events.
TOMORROW, Tue, 7/18, 4:00 - 6:00PM is the Airport Community Conversation Open House 2, https://bouldercolorado.gov/events/airport-community-conversation-open-house-2. We encourage everyone to attend and share your opinion, as many times as possible.
Airport Community Conversation Open House 2
Tue, 7/18, 4:00 - 6:00PM
Via Mobility Services
2855 63rd Street
Boulder, CO 80301
July 15, 2023 Community Meeting
On the beautiful, bucolic property of Valmont Community Presbyterian Church, while pelicans paddled on the pond and BDU traffic buzzed continually overhead, we had a great meeting. Grass roots and grass tops Boulderites came together to mingle and discuss BDU. We got clarity on various pieces of information, and the timeline around BDU the community engagement process and the start of the Master Plan.
Between now and August 24, our goal is to bombard City Council and staff with comments, asking them to pursue alternative uses of BDU land. While "alternative uses" could mean supporting Scenario 4 (Scenario 4), that Scenario has ambiguities with possibilities that may make it unsuitable. The best thing to ask for is simply to investigate and pursue alterantive uses.
Providing comments could be in the form of
The most effective approach is to speak at a meeting. Our ideal would be have a number of people lined up to speak as often as possible between now and August 17, and we would to some extent coordinate on topics. CC meetings are alternating Thursday nights. We have a strategies and tips on speaking. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEAK AT A CC MEETING PLEASE CONTACT US.
This week is big -
Tue, July 18 is the open house, https://bouldercolorado.gov/events/airport-community-conversation-open-house-2
Thu, July 20 is the next Community Working Group meeting. Watch this space for more information about the CWG meeting, including hour and location. The word is that most of the non pilots have mostly dropped off the CWG, presumably due to the biased balance of the group. Also, apparently it's okay for people not on CWG to show up and participate, as did a pilot in the last CWG meeting who appeared and spoke about his experience. These meeting are paid for by the City, and thus are subject to open meetings regulations. It may be worthwhile to show up and participate. While it's possible that we may be turned away, that would also be useful and leveragable information.
The online survey is now open through the end of July, https://www.beheardboulder.org/airport-community-conversation. There is no apparent limit on submissions. Submit early and often.
Between now and August 24, our goal is to bombard City Council and staff with comments, asking them to pursue alternative uses of BDU land. While "alternative uses" could mean supporting Scenario 4 (Scenario 4), that Scenario has ambiguities with possibilities that may make it unsuitable. The best thing to ask for is simply to investigate and pursue alterantive uses.
Providing comments could be in the form of
- attending the open house on Tue, 7/18 (see above) and providing lots of comments
- filling out the survey, early and often
- speaking at a CC meeting
- writing letters, sending opinions to CC, Daily Camera
- signing our online petition for local control, Petition for local control of BDU
- meet with us at the Farmers Market and elsewhere and sign our paper petition asking City Council to investigate alternative uses of BDU land
The most effective approach is to speak at a meeting. Our ideal would be have a number of people lined up to speak as often as possible between now and August 17, and we would to some extent coordinate on topics. CC meetings are alternating Thursday nights. We have a strategies and tips on speaking. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEAK AT A CC MEETING PLEASE CONTACT US.
This week is big -
Tue, July 18 is the open house, https://bouldercolorado.gov/events/airport-community-conversation-open-house-2
Thu, July 20 is the next Community Working Group meeting. Watch this space for more information about the CWG meeting, including hour and location. The word is that most of the non pilots have mostly dropped off the CWG, presumably due to the biased balance of the group. Also, apparently it's okay for people not on CWG to show up and participate, as did a pilot in the last CWG meeting who appeared and spoke about his experience. These meeting are paid for by the City, and thus are subject to open meetings regulations. It may be worthwhile to show up and participate. While it's possible that we may be turned away, that would also be useful and leveragable information.
The online survey is now open through the end of July, https://www.beheardboulder.org/airport-community-conversation. There is no apparent limit on submissions. Submit early and often.
Boulder Airport Community Meeting
July 15th, 2:00PM
Valmont Presbyterian Church, 3262 North 61st Street, Boulder, CO
Please attend this meeting to discuss the true costs of hosting BDU, and joining forces to let the City Council know that Boulder residents are tired of subsidizing this pollution engine.
What does it cost to host Boulder Municipal Airport?
Noise impacts from BDU drives families from their homes. Other families would move if they could, but they are stuck. Most of the planes burn leaded fuel. Nanoparticles of lead are emitted constantly, falling on homes, schools, farms, open spaces, where it is taken up by plants and animals. The carbon-based fuel burned by these machines also contributes to ozone and particulate pollution, just as the EPA is proposing to downgrade the Denver area from a “serious” to a “severe” violator of federal ozone standards.
BDU produces roughly ~$80,000 per month of current tax revenue, about .2% of total sales tax revenue. (A chunk of this revenue comes from sales tax on leaded fuel, which is then burned over our heads.)
179 acres of BDU land is worth ~$358,000,000, provided to BDU for free. BDU capital improvements are provided via Federal tax dollars. BDU is heavily subsidized.
This land could be used for so many other purposes that could benefit many Boulder residents, such as housing, commerce, recreation, parks, etc. Besides benefitting many people, these uses can actually produce significant revenue for the city.
Alternative viewpoints deserve to be, and must be, part of the conversation!
What does it cost to host Boulder Municipal Airport?
Noise impacts from BDU drives families from their homes. Other families would move if they could, but they are stuck. Most of the planes burn leaded fuel. Nanoparticles of lead are emitted constantly, falling on homes, schools, farms, open spaces, where it is taken up by plants and animals. The carbon-based fuel burned by these machines also contributes to ozone and particulate pollution, just as the EPA is proposing to downgrade the Denver area from a “serious” to a “severe” violator of federal ozone standards.
BDU produces roughly ~$80,000 per month of current tax revenue, about .2% of total sales tax revenue. (A chunk of this revenue comes from sales tax on leaded fuel, which is then burned over our heads.)
179 acres of BDU land is worth ~$358,000,000, provided to BDU for free. BDU capital improvements are provided via Federal tax dollars. BDU is heavily subsidized.
This land could be used for so many other purposes that could benefit many Boulder residents, such as housing, commerce, recreation, parks, etc. Besides benefitting many people, these uses can actually produce significant revenue for the city.
Alternative viewpoints deserve to be, and must be, part of the conversation!