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Senate committee sends three nominees to full Senate for Colorado Aeronautical Board
Summary
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee voted unanimously to recommend three nominees — Gigi Dennis, Brianna Lehman and Leslie Sumi — to the full Senate for appointment to the Colorado Aeronautical Board after brief introductions and questions about workforce development and airport roles in the national system.
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee voted unanimously to send three nominees for the Colorado Aeronautical Board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
Director David Ullaine of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division introduced the nominees and described the division’s role supporting airports, aviation education, workforce development and safety. "I have the privilege of serving as the aeronautics division director," Ullaine said, and he asked the committee to consider the three appointees together.
The nominees who spoke to the committee were Gigi Dennis, introduced as a Western Slope appointee; Brianna "Bree" Lehman, the community representative seeking a second term; and Leslie Sumi, introduced as the Eastern Slope government representative and an Arapahoe County commissioner. Dennis said she is "currently the city manager for the city of Monte Vista" and called local airports "a true little gem for communities" that can be "an economic engine." Lehman, a landscape architect and small-business owner, emphasized community engagement and said Colorado is "leading the nation" on efforts such as reducing leaded aviation fuel and piloting remote tower programs.
Committee members asked nominees about priorities and experience. Senator Pelton asked Lehman what she had learned on the board; Lehman described touring airports, meeting airport managers statewide and visiting training facilities, citing a Pueblo training site with a reported 98% graduation rate. When asked whether Rocky Mountain Metro and similar airports play an important role in the national air transportation system, Lehman replied that many Colorado airports are classified by the FAA as part of the national integrated system and that rural-access funding helps connect remote communities to major airports.
Senator Bazely asked Lehman what she wished she had accomplished during her first term; Lehman said she hopes to expand division funding for workforce development and education programs, noting demand for drone-education funding exceeded available allocations. Senator Catlin raised questions about economic vulnerability tied to single facilities, and Lehman cited an example involving tariff-related import pauses that affected local jobs at a Pilatus facility.
Senator Ball moved to send the appointments of Gigi Dennis, Brianna Lehman and Leslie Sumi to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried unanimously. Voting recorded on the motion included affirmative votes from Senators Bazely, Catlin, Exum, Linstead, Mullica, Elton, Sullivan, Ball and the chair. The chair asked that the nominations be placed on the consent calendar at Senator Ball’s request.
The committee adjourned after thanking the nominees and noting the committee’s recommendation. The full Senate will consider the nominations in its next business.
Votes at a glance: Motion to transmit the appointments of Gigi Dennis, Brianna Lehman and Leslie Sumi to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation — Committee vote: 9 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions (recorded affirmative votes: Senators Bazely, Catlin, Exum, Linstead, Mullica, Elton, Sullivan, Ball and the chair).
