The Westminster City Council on Monday night agreed to send a letter of its own, asking Jefferson County to weigh the concerns of residents over operations at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.
The airport is owned by Jefferson County and is the target of the Save Our Skies Alliance, which claims the airport’s growth is overwhelming nearby residents. Save Our Skies is asking the Jefferson County Commission to implement landing fees at the airport, eliminate leaded fuel at the facility, limit training operations and halt the airport’s taxiway expansion.
SOS also asked Westminster City Council earlier this year to add weight to the group’s concerns by endorsing changes at the airport through a letter to the commissioners.
Most council members backed off that approach, saying they were not able to dictate to another government entity.
The letter the council backed this week just asks that the commissioners listen to the concerns of residents.
“Operation of the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport remains a matter of significant concern to our residents,” the letter states. “We urge you to consider the SOS requests and carefully evaluate how best to mitigate the issues identified to the maximum extent your authority.”
The city also asks the commissioners to take part in “ongoing community engagement” concerning the airport,
Westminster resident and SOS member Carolyn Farbman said the group appreciates the council’s letter. “I am so thankful to the Council for (its) support of the actions outlined in the SOS letter,” Farbman said.