Serving as a general-aviation reliever airport in the Denver region, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) provides access to a diverse set of aviation users and a base for over 400 aircraft.
Not unlike Colorado, or Jefferson County, RMMA has experienced growth and development over the past five years as the aviation industry responds to growing demand for private travel as well as the significant demand for new pilots at commercial airlines - - this growth brings both new challenges and twists on old challenges for regional airports. Growth also brings interest and concern regarding off-airport impacts to the surrounding communities.
So, you may be asking what are we doing to address the communities’ concerns about noise and fuel? Collaborate with our neighbors? Outreach and communication with constituents, businesses in the surrounding area? I’m pleased to say, we are addressing all the above and here are a few examples:
Two years ago, Jefferson County and RMMA assisted in the formation of a Community Noise Roundtable to discuss community concerns over aircraft noise.
Additionally, to minimize impact of aircraft operations in our surrounding communities, RMMA put into place a voluntary noise abatement program designed to minimize noise from aircraft operations.
We have heard from many of you regarding concerns and the impacts of leaded fuel on our families, homes, and communities. Along with my fellow commissioners, we were happy to announce recently, RMMA will be offering unleaded fuel in the next two to three years – well before the FAA’s 2030 target date for the full elimination of leaded aviation gas. The timeline gives you a snapshot of what the transition to unleaded fuel has looked like in our country over the past 50 years.
As a requirement for airports receiving federal funds, RMMA created a Strategic Business Plan for the purpose of planning for orderly development and redevelopment on the airfield. Collaboration with stakeholders was an important part of the formation of the Plan. The Strategic Business Plan was reviewed by the Jeffco Airport Advisory Board, as well as presented to the RMMA Community Noise Roundtable.
We encourage everyone to visit the RMMA website for more information regarding these issues and view the Noise or Fuel FAQ to learn more about these two very important issues.
I, along with my fellow commissioners, look forward to continuing working with community leaders to ensure that Jefferson County is the best place to live and work in Colorado. Innovation is the key to responsible airport development that will bring jobs and opportunity to the county’s constituents and businesses while remaining sensitive to the quality of life of our citizens.
Tracy
Commissioner Kraft-Tharp can be reached at [email protected] or (303) 271-8511.
To learn more about the Jefferson County Commissioners, visit our website. The Board of County Commissioners’ public hearings are held on most Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. and we invite you to join us for public comment. Visit the meetings page for more information.