SOS | SAVE OUR SKIES ALLIANCE
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Your Local Representatives

Broomfield City Council
   [email protected]
Guyleen Castriotta, Interim Mayor
   [email protected]  
   720.607.1527
Stan Jezierski, Mayor Pro Tem
   
[email protected] 
   720.272.2158

Elizabeth Law-Evans, Ward 1
   [email protected]
  
303.460.1295
William Lindstedt, Ward 2
   [email protected]
   720.635.7820
Sharon Tessier, Ward 2
   [email protected]
  
303-641-5433
Jean Lim, Ward 3
   [email protected]
   303.349.2745
Deven Shaff, Ward 3
   [email protected]
   970.344.8032
Laurie Anderson, Ward 4
   [email protected]
   920.378.9654
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Kimberly Groom, Ward 4
   [email protected]
  
303.374.4074
Heidi Henkel, Ward 5
   [email protected]
   303.359.4950
John Hickenlooper, US Senate
   Contact Form
Michael F. Bennet, US Senate
    Contact Form
Joe Neguse, US Congress, 2nd District
   [email protected]
Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, Senate District 23
    [email protected]
Representative Matt Gray, House District 33
    [email protected]
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Issue Overview

RMMA is owned by Jefferson County, and that all decisions with regard to the operations and management of the airport are made by JeffCo.  However, the aircraft operations that originate from RMMA, and the associated noise and lead pollution, impact significantly more residents in Broomfield and Boulder counties, than residents of JeffCo. The majority of flights either depart to the north through Superior, Louisville & Lafayette, or the training flights doing touch and go racetrack loops use the south runway.  So, they fly over, and within earshot, of Skyestone and Walnut Creek to the south, and Arista Interlocken and well east of Main St. So, many Broomfield communities are impacted.

Airport leadership has made a decision not to update RMMA’s Master Plan which has been updated every 10 years since the airport came into existence.  There is good reason for this.  A Master Plan includes an assessment of Aviation Demand, a Land Use Plan and Sustainability & Conservation Initiatives, just to name a few of the very important components.  RMMA is working on a “simple business plan” and a simple business plan doesn’t do near the amount of detailed assessment that is required in order to make important development and expansion decision.

The last Master Plan was updated in 2011, 10 years ago, and a lot has changed in the surrounding communities since 2011.  Airport leadership plans to delay an update to the Master Plan until 2028, which would be published in 2030.  Twenty years is way too long to wait for an updated Master Plan.  For starters, flight school operations increased 75% between 2010 – 2020.  This alone is enough reason to 
update the Master Plan because these flight training operations, that number more than 100,000 annually, now create a significant amount of noise and these piston aircraft use leaded AvGas so they drop lead particulate all over our neighborhoods.

​I’m sure that you’re aware that the EPA recently reclassified the Denver area to “serious” non-attainment for ozone.  The entirety of Jefferson, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Adams and Arapahoe counties, among others, are included in the 8-hour ozone non-attainment areas.  According to the EPA NEI Data, 72% of total lead emissions in Colorado in 2017 was caused by piston aircraft.  There are no safe levels of lead for humans.


The 100,000 annual aircraft training flights are made using piston aircraft, that run on LEADED fuel.  Why would a local government consciously make a decision to allow this amount of operations when we already have substandard air quality?  And, on top of this, the airport is pushing additional growth!

Do you realize that one-third to one-half of the piston aircraft that operate out of RMMA can use unleaded gas but RMMA doesn’t sell it?  Why doesn’t RMMA sell unleaded AvGas?  Vance Brand airport in Longmont does.  This would likely be included in the analysis in a Master Plan update.
​

Is it really a good plan to add to the already poor air quality in the Front Range in order to generate “economic impact”?  This doesn’t make residents feel very well cared for by their elected officials.
An update to RMMA’s Master Plan is so important to the local community that the organization Save Our Skies Alliance (SOS) has created a petition to urge JeffCo to update their Master Plan before undertaking any more development.  In just two weeks, SOS has gathered more than 1,100 signatures in support of a Master Plan update.  At least 150 of the signers are residents of Broomfield County so this is clearly an important issue to your constituents.

Broomfield Community Noise Roundtable member Stan Jezierski, and alternate Deven Shaff, will see a presentation of the “business plan” at the August 9th meeting of the CNR.  They must cast a vote of no support on behalf of Broomfield.

Today, I ask you Broomfield Mayor Castriotta and Council members to urge the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, prior to their August 10th meeting, to require a full Master Plan update before any more development and expansion decisions are made by RMMA.  I understand that you don’t have authority over JeffCo and RMMA, but I am asking that on behalf of Broomfield residents, you communicate to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners that you do not support additional development and expansion at RMMA without a full Master Plan update.  It is simply reckless for RMMA to continue to expand without first completing a full Master Plan update.

Further Reading

Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport noise study takes flight with focus groups
Save Our Skies group wants Jeffco Commissioners to tame operations at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport
As Boulder considers closing its municipal airport to address housing shortage, lead concerns also emerge
State study shows slightly raised levels of lead in children’s blood near airports
Colorado governor signs bill targeting airport impacts, but fight against noise and lead continues
Kids living near Colorado airports have slightly elevated levels of lead in their blood, new study finds
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport’s noise roundtable grounded over lack of progress, trust
Broomfield to depart noise board as pressure on Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport mounts
Neighbors weigh in on airport lawsuit
Could rerouting flights in Boulder County reduce neighborhood noise?
County investigated claims former airport manager belittled and called nearby residents ‘nut jobs'
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport announces elimination of leaded fuel
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport takes steps to be first in state to phase out leaded fuel
Our 'Flint, Michigan': Scientists, residents sound alarm on leaded fuel used at Jefferson County airport: It’s been nearly 50 years since the U.S. began aggressively phasing out the sale of leaded gas for cars, but the same can't be said for aircraft
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport addresses neighbors' concerns, future growth during town hall: People who live near the airport told Denver7 that touch-and-go flights have only become more frequent since the COVID-19 pandemic
A federal grant is going to fund a study on how bad the noise is at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs new laws on conservation, a new sustainability office, aviation gas
New law aims to make local airports quieter and safer for neighbors: Airport critic claims HB24-1235 still does not go far enough to quiet the impacts from local GA airports
Rocky Mountain Airport noise panel votes to disband
Northern Colorado cities clash over whether to dissolve airport noise group over lack of progress
Broomfield leaves airport noise group and blasts Jefferson County for lack of progress and trust 
Neighbors sound off on Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
A Colorado airport said it was powerless to stop using leaded fuel. After a public outcry, it’s racing to get rid of it
Jefferson County airport announces full shift to unleaded fuel by 2027 — reducing contamination for neighborhoods - Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport’s neighbors have complained for years about impact of lead
Broomfield joins surrounding communities in concern over effects of leaded fuel at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
In Communities Near Some Colorado Airports, Concerns Persist Over Leaded Aviation Fuel
Plans for cleaner fuel at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport delayed, frustrating neighbors
Critics of Rocky Mountain Metro Airport attack new funding going into the facility
Jeffco hires airport management veteran to take over director job at RMMA
SIGNED! Legislation to Reduce Lead and Noise Pollution, Protect Colorado’s Air
Colorado looks to get lead out of aviation fuel as a new study adds to potential health concerns
Neighbors grill candidates for Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport’s top job
Broomfield leaves forum addressing noise and pollution at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
Broomfield announces plans to leave community noise roundtable with RMMA
Coloradans are on edge about airport noise and pollution. Lawmakers want to help
Community Editorial Board: Considering JeffCo airport's impacts - Boulder Daily Camera
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Announces Ambitious Plans for a Lead-Free Future
Northern Colorado residents welcome a growing airport's plan to offer unleaded fuel
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport to switch to unleaded aviation fuel 3 years ahead of deadline
Two U.S. representatives demand Rocky Mountain Airport adopt better noise control
Brought to you by concerned citizens from all across the Front Range and beyond.
  • National
    • FIND YOUR STATE >
      • ALABAMA
      • ALASKA >
        • Alaska Plane Crashes
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    • Affected Areas >
      • Arapahoe County >
        • City of Centennial
        • City of Cherry Hills Village
        • City of Englewood
        • City of Greenwood Village
        • City of Littleton
        • Arapahoe County Updates
      • City and County of Broomfield
      • Boulder County >
        • City of Boulder
        • Town of Erie
        • Town of Gunbarrel
        • City of Lafayette
        • City of Longmont
        • City of Louisville
        • Town of Superior
        • Unincorporated Boulder County
      • Douglas County >
        • City of Lone Tree
      • El Paso County >
        • City of Colorado Springs
        • City of Fountain
        • Security-Widefield
      • Gilpin County
      • Jefferson County >
        • City of Arvada
        • City of Edgewater
        • City of Golden
        • City of Lakewood
        • Town of Morrison
        • City of Westminster
      • Larimer County >
        • Town of Berthoud
      • Pueblo County >
        • City of Pueblo
      • Weld County >
        • City of Dacono
        • Town of Firestone
        • Town of Frederick
        • City of Greeley
    • Front Range Airports >
      • Boulder Municipal Airport | BDU >
        • BDU Updates
      • Centennial Airport | APA >
        • APA Documents
        • APA Updates
      • Colorado Springs Municipal Airport | COS
      • Denver International Airport | DIA
      • Erie Municipal Airport | EIK
      • Front Range Airport | CFO
      • Greely-Weld County Airport | GXY
      • Meadow Lake Airport | FLY
      • Northern Colorado Regional Airport | FNL
      • Parkland Estates Airpark
      • Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport | BJC >
        • BJC Updates
        • BJC Documents
      • Van Aire Skyport |
      • Vance Brand Municipal Airport | LMO >
        • LMO Documents
        • LMO Updates
    • Front Range Plane Crashes
  • Background
    • News + Updates
  • Issues
    • Advanced Air Mobility
    • Aviation Safety
    • Drones
    • Economic Impact
    • Electric Aircraft
    • Environmental Impact
    • Federal Oversight
    • Health Impacts
    • Lead Exposure
    • Low-Flying Aircraft
    • Noise Pollution
    • PFAS Contamination
    • Plane Crashes
    • Private Aviation
    • Proposed Solutions >
      • HB24-1235
    • Security Issues
    • supersonic flight
  • Press
    • Front Range Media Coverage
    • National Media Coverage
    • Video Library
    • aviation perspectives >
      • 1500 Hour Rule
      • Aviation Safety
      • Federal Oversight
      • Fly Neighborly/Noise
      • NBAA Guidance
      • Pilot Mental Health
      • Pilot Shortage
      • Unleaded Fuels
  • Get In Touch + Get Involved
    • A Starting Guide for General Aviation (GA) Impacted Communities
    • Legal Resources