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Planning Board urges airport changes: pursue unleaded fuel, pauses on major airport CIP until litigation resolved
Summary
At the Sept. 16 meeting planning board members urged the city to pursue unleaded aviation fuel at Boulder Municipal Airport, considered but did not approve a motion to delay repaving a glider-only runway, and voted to pause noncritical airport CIP projects until ongoing litigation is resolved.
The City of Boulder Planning Board on Sept. 16 approved multiple advisory motions addressing the Boulder Municipal Airport (BDU), urging city leaders to move quickly on health-related fuel changes and recommending a pause on several airport capital commitments while litigation is unresolved.
Board members voted to recommend that City Council pursue infrastructure or equipment to provide unleaded aviation fuel at Boulder Municipal Airport "as soon as possible." The motion, moved by Planning Board member Laura and seconded by Mason, passed 5—1 (George voted no). In discussion, board members cited public-health and environmental policy goals in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, and staff noted Colorado state direction and grant opportunities to support conversion by 2030.
Planning board member Laura detailed health concerns that motivate the recommendation and cited an EPA endangerment finding for leaded aviation fuel. During the discussion staff acknowledged the airport team has identified unleaded aviation fuel as a strategic priority and that staff will work with state grant programs in 2026 to secure funding and equipment options.
The board considered a motion to delay repaving the airport—s glider-only runway (Runway 8G/26G) and to consider decommissioning it. That motion drew a split vote and failed on a 3—3 tally. Supporters argued the runway is nonconforming with FAA-recommended separations for visual-flight operations, poses operational safety questions, and will not be eligible for FAA maintenance grants. Opponents said they were not comfortable taking a decommissioning position without fuller staff analysis and broader input.
Finally, the board approved a motion asking staff and Council to postpone all CIP items associated with Boulder Municipal Airport that can be delayed without compromising safety or public safety until the city—s litigation with the FAA is concluded and City Council or voters provide clear direction on the site—s future. That motion passed 5—1 (George opposed).
The board—s actions are advisory. City Council will receive the planning board—s recommendations as part of the CIP packet and can accept, modify, or reject them. Several board members emphasized that the motions were meant to prompt Council-level policy and funding discussions rather than to immediately halt safety-critical work.
The airport-related actions and votes are recorded in the board—s Sep. 16 transcript and will be transmitted with staff materials to City Council.
