Council supports constituent concerns about RMMA noise and agrees to tour airport before next steps

Councilors signaled support on Feb. 10 for Westminster residents who asked the city to back a neighborhood letter to Jefferson County commissioners expressing concern about noise, touch-and-go training operations and the continued use of leaded aviation fuel at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA).

Why it matters: RMMA operations affect adjacent neighborhoods in both Adams and Jefferson counties. Residents asked Westminster to add its voice to a letter seeking county attention to noise and unleaded fuel advocacy; council discussion focused on coordinating a city response while preserving ongoing intergovernmental relationships.

Public input and council comments: Councilor Ireland described a petition signed by more than 300 homes in the Westbrook neighborhood raising noise and leaded fuel concerns. She said the airport has received roughly $100 million in grants over the past 20 years and urged the city to support the neighborhood's request that the airport be a better neighbor.

Councilors Rosati and Hutt voiced support for the residents' concerns. Council agreed the issue was substantive and not appropriate to decide immediately from the dais. City Manager Andrews said staff had held preliminary discussions and proposed a next step: a city delegation visit to RMMA for a tour and briefing by airport leadership. He said after the tour the council could reconvene to discuss possible next steps, such as formal correspondence.

Next steps: Staff to arrange an on-site tour and briefing with airport leadership and then regroup as a council to consider any letters or joint actions. No formal council ordinance or resolution was taken at the Feb. 10 meeting.