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Are you looking to soar the skies and become a pilot? Well, look no further because Colorado offers some of the best flight schools in the country.

What initially began as complaints about airport noise suddenly has become a pitched battle over saving one of Boulder’s most valuable transportation, public safety, scientific research and economic vitality resources … all in pursuit of a red herring.

Brad Walker, a longtime pilot at Jefferson County, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Municipal Airport (KBJC; also known as “Jeffco”), has actively challenged efforts by homeowners to sue the county over noise and lead pollution associated with the airport. Most recently, he filed a request under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) statute (similar to the federal Freedom of Information Act) to acquire a noise study commissioned by his hometown of Superior, Colorado, which abuts the airport property. His request had been denied, based on attorney-client privilege, but Walker recently acquired a copy of the report and shared it with AVweb.

Notwithstanding the lack of detectable lead in air and surface samples taken in three Colorado communities near Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in 2023 (findings that came to light only after pilots obtained the reports via freedom of information requests), the legislature is now considering a nakedly anti-aviation bill that AOPA will vigorously oppose.

A series of studies commissioned by the town of Superior, Colorado, found virtually no evidence of airborne and surface lead contamination in three towns nearby Jefferson County’s Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC – also known as Jeffco Airport). But it took a Freedom of Information request to bring the test results to light. In all but one case, the levels found at the sites were too low to register. Air and surface swab samples were taken from indoor and outdoor locations in Superior, Louisville, and Lafayette, Colorado, between May and November last year.

Denver, Colo. – The Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) and Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) released the following statement welcoming the findings of no lead contamination in communities near Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, and reaffirming the commitment of the aviation industry to safely replace leaded aviation gas by 2030:

RMMA has received FAA grant funding for improvements to the stormwater basin that lies between the parallel runways. These improvements are necessary to adequately detain stormwater flows from the southside of the airfield.

Esco Construction, the selected contractor, will be performing grading work and installing a concrete outlet structure as part of these improvements. The entire construction period is expected to take approximately 45 days, beginning on January 6.

As part of this project, Runway 30L/12R will be closed periodically to accommodate construction activities. The first full closure of 30L/12R is expected to occur January 6 - January 10. There will be other one-to-two day closures in mid-January through February.

As usual, check Notices to Air Missions for the latest on airfield conditions and closures. Airport staff appreciate your patience as we work to improve the airfiel

The FAA recently updated its ADS-B Privacy International Civil Aviation Organization Address program, also known as PIA, with changes designed to streamline the process for pilots to opt out of real-time ADS-B flight tracking.