Commissioners Zenzinger, Dahlkemper, and Kerr,

Save Our Skies (SOS) is a coalition of community members dedicated to researching FAA regulations and addressing issues such as aviation noise, lead pollution, and safety concerns. In 2021, a group of more than 1,500 residents who live near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) signed a petition urging Commissioners to comply with FAA regulation regarding a master planning process and address these issues. Commissioner Zenzinger, we want to thank you for your work at the State level and for sponsoring the Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities Bill (HB24-1235).

Since Jefferson County has yet to comply with FAA regulations, SOS has organized to take action and restore balance between the community and its publicly-owned airport. SOS will continue to organize and campaign until residents can once again enjoy a high quality of life.

First, let’s clear up any misconception: the goal of SOS is not to close RMMA. Many residents have lived in the area for decades and can confirm significant changes in RMMA’s traffic. The airport is no longer the community-friendly neighbor it once was. In the past six years, RMMA has seen a surge in flight school training, leading to increased noise, pollution, and heightened safety concerns for local residents. The 2011 Master Plan is severely outdated, and never envisioned RMMA become a large-scale, flight training center. This is evidenced by the predictions and assumptions contained within the report itself, produced by Jefferson County and approved by both the County and the FAA itself.

SOS recommends Jefferson County take the following four actions (attached, ~25-minute read), in order to: improve airport management, immediately address airport safety and noise, and address the airport’s long-term future. These recommendations represent a general consensus among residents on solutions necessary to restore balance between the community and its airport.

Actions include implementing landing fees, eliminating the sale of unleaded fuel, avoiding all repetitive training operations on the airport through the Voluntary Noise Abatement Plan (VNAP), and pausing the Taxiway project.

These actions can be implemented with a 2-1 majority vote by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners (BCC). While the airport director and the Airport Advisory Board (AAB) provide recommendations, the ultimate decision-making authority lies with the BCC, as you serve as RMMA’s official airport sponsor.

Lastly, the Westbrook Homeowners Association has signed the attached document in support of these actions. For reference, Westbrook is located outside the airport’s area of influence.
 
There is still time to address the harms and poor choices made and work toward meaningful solutions.