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Boulder · Est. 1928
0 open issues 21 news stories Airport rep in place
Ballot measures to close the airport were withdrawn in August 2024. A federal court dismissed the city's lawsuit over its FAA obligations on September 15, 2025, and the city did not appeal. On July 23, 2026, the City Council voted 8-1 to keep operating the airport and to seek FAA and state funding for it.
This Week in GA: Sustainability Gains
This week's sustainability gains in general aviation include Beringer wheels and Eve Air Mobility, Beta Technologies and SurfAir flying in Hawaii, Swift 94UL now at the Boulder airport, Gulfstream flying…
Colorado city ends yearslong effort to close airport
After at least six years of repeated efforts to close Boulder Municipal Airport, the city of Boulder, Colorado, is now moving to pursue new grant funds to maintain the airport—all…
Boulder Adds UL94 Under Transition Plan
The airport is offering unleaded avgas ahead of Colorado’s 2030 phaseout timeline.
Boulder Signals Long-Term Commitment To Municipal Airport
Boulder officials in Colorado are preparing to formalize a policy that would keep Boulder Municipal Airport in operation for the foreseeable future after a divided City Council signaled support during an April 23 study session.
Action Alert: Boulder Airport Needs Your Support — City Council Study Session April 23
The Boulder City Council will decide on April 23 whether to support the airport"s continued existence and pursue FAA grants for the first time since 2020. The Save Boulder Airport Committee has prepared talking points for community members to communicate with City Council. Key issues include: \M taxpayer cost if airport closes, wildfire response infrastructure, 84% community support in 2023 survey, \M economic impact, and housing concerns.
Boulder Airport sets timeline for phasing out leaded avgas
Boulder Municipal Airport plans to offer unleaded aviation fuel by late 2026 under a state-mandated phase-out of leaded avgas by 2030, with incentives like STC reimbursement to encourage pilot adoption. This aligns Colorado airports with the FAA's national EAGLE initiative while addressing environmental concerns, though specific fuel type, infrastructure requirements, and cost details remain to be finalized.
Questions linger following Boulder Airport lawsuit dismissal
Boulder, Colorado chose not to appeal a federal court dismissal of its lawsuit seeking clarification on long-term operating obligations at Boulder Municipal Airport, deciding instead to forgo future federal grants to preserve land-use flexibility after 2040. This decision leaves unresolved a fundamental disagreement with the FAA over whether the city must operate the airport in perpetuity or only through 2040, creating ongoing uncertainty for GA operations at KBDU while limiting the airport's access to federal funding for improvements and maintenance.
Boulder will not appeal recent airport ruling
Boulder city officials have decided not to appeal a federal court ruling dismissing their challenge to the requirement that a 1991 grant obligates them to operate Boulder Municipal Airport indefinitely; the city maintains it is only obligated until 2040 and will continue prioritizing safety upgrades and exploring unleaded fuel options in the interim.
Boulder City Council advances new development guidelines for East Boulder
This article concerns Boulder city housing development and does not relate to aviation fuel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), environmental regulations affecting general aviation, or airport operations. It is not relevant to GA pilots and should not be included in a fuel/environmental developments timeline for the Colorado Pilots Association.
Authorities move to dismiss Boulder airport lawsuit
Boulder Airport authorities moved to dismiss a lawsuit challenging airport operations, with implications for ongoing community and regulatory disputes affecting general aviation access at the facility.
Ballot measure to close Boulder airport withdrawn amid FAA lawsuit
Boulder organizers withdrew ballot measures that would have closed Boulder Municipal Airport and redeveloped the land for affordable housing, primarily due to a pending FAA lawsuit asserting the city's legal obligation to maintain the airport's operations. This decision preserves federal airport operating agreements that GA pilots and communities depend on, while avoiding costly litigation that could have disrupted local aviation infrastructure.
Colorado city challenges airport grant obligation in federal court
Closing the Boulder Municipal Airport: flight of fancy or city's best option?
Residents rally in support of Boulder Airport amid closure debate
Boulder Municipal Airport faces closure pressure from residents citing noise and leaded fuel concerns, but the FAA opposes decommissioning due to the city's federal grant obligations and the airport's role in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems—making closure legally and financially prohibitive for the community. This debate highlights ongoing tensions between general aviation infrastructure needs and environmental/noise concerns that GA pilots should monitor for potential precedent-setting implications.
Neighbors cite lead in bid to close Boulder Airport
Neighbors of Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU) have launched a campaign to decommission the airport, citing health concerns from leaded aviation fuel emissions and noise pollution as key reasons to convert the 179-acre site into a mixed-use neighborhood. While the city council is analyzing legal and financial options, closure would require release from FAA grant obligations, making the outcome uncertain.
Petition aims to build momentum toward decommissioning Boulder airport
A petition has been launched in Boulder seeking to decommission Boulder Airport (KBDU), representing a potential threat to general aviation operations in the region and reflecting growing community pressure against airport operations in populated areas.
Flood rescue crews honored at Boulder Airport Day — airport served as staging base
Boulder Airport served as a critical staging base for regional flood rescue and emergency response operations, demonstrating the vital role general aviation airports play in disaster relief efforts.
Boulder Municipal Airport is the oldest continuously operating municipal airport in Colorado, established in 1928. Despite its modest 179-acre footprint and 51,000+ annual operations, it generates $78.3M in business revenue and supports 281 jobs. The airport has been the target of repeated closure attempts by the city, culminating in a federal lawsuit that was dismissed in 2025. The court upheld FAA perpetual operating requirements, and Boulder declined to appeal.
Multiple campaigns have sought to decommission the airport and convert the 179-acre site to mixed-income housing. A ballot measure was filed in 2024 but withdrawn after the federal lawsuit was filed. Housing advocates argue the land could serve 1,000+ housing units.
City of Boulder filed suit against the U.S. government seeking relief from perpetual airport operating obligations. Federal court dismissed the case in September 2025. Judge Wang ruled Boulder's Quiet Title Act claim failed — no present disputed title, only future uncertainty. Boulder declined to appeal in November 2025.
Boulder Airport set timeline in February 2026 for phasing out leaded avgas, joining other Colorado airports in the transition.
The airport has received federal funding since 1959, creating perpetual operating obligations. The FAA 's 2023 closure letter explicitly stated these obligations cannot be unilaterally terminated by the city.
City of Boulder v. United States Dismissed September 2025 — no appeal
Boulder challenged FAA perpetual airport operating obligations under the Quiet Title Act. Federal court dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction — no present disputed title. Boulder declined to appeal November 2025.
Financial analysis of airport operations, revenue sources, and economic viability.
KBDU Noise Abatement White Paper
Analysis of noise issues and proposed voluntary abatement procedures for Boulder Municipal Airport.
Historical documentation of Boulder Municipal Airport from 1928 to present.
Boulder City Council Study Session
AOPA and Colorado Pilots Association Support FAA Grant Funding for Boulder Airport PDF ↓
Aviation advocacy organizations urge Boulder City Council to accept FAA Airport Improvement Program grants, citing safety upgrades, reduced local financial burden, job creation, and economic benefits. The letter emphasizes that federal funding for airport infrastructure is essential for maintaining compliance with safety standards and supporting regional economic competitiveness.
AOPA and CPA Letter Supporting FAA Grant Funding for Boulder Airport PDF ↓
Aviation advocacy organizations urge Boulder City Council to accept FAA Airport Improvement Program grant funds, emphasizing safety infrastructure investments, reduced local financial burden, and economic benefits including job creation and regional competitiveness.
Boulder Municipal Airport Compliance & Management Documents
Primary compliance and management documentation for KBDU operations.
SSB Urges City to End FAA Lawsuit
Sustainability, Safety and Resilience Board urges Boulder to drop the federal lawsuit against FAA airport obligations.
CPA analysis questioning the logic of Boulder's airport closure campaign.
Boulder Municipal Airport Meeting Fact Sheet
Fact sheet prepared for public meeting on airport future.
FAA Letter: KBDU Closure Not Permitted
FAA explicitly states perpetual operating obligations cannot be unilaterally terminated.
Federal grant agreement establishing operating obligations for Boulder Municipal Airport.
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