South Boulder Disputed Flight Path: FAA To Hold Community Meeting

BOULDER, CO -- For years, South Boulder residents have complained about an increase in noise from passing commercial jets. It wasn't in their heads. According to a news release from Boulder County, in 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration changed the path planes used to depart Denver International Airport. While the old route passed several miles south of Boulder, jets now pass directly over the Table Mesa neighborhood.

The change came as part of the FAA's NextGen program, intended to minimize both delays and fuel use by implementing more direct and efficient routing of aircraft into and out of Denver and surrounding airports. The specific project that affected South Boulder is known as the Denver Metroplex.

Still, in 2017, Mayor Suzanne Jones sent a letter on behalf of the Boulder City Council that addressed residents' concerns about the airplane noise and and requested that the FAA reconsider flight path options to help mitigate air traffic over the city. Local residents have also been continually vocal and active in advocacy against routing changes.

Now, the FAA plans to hold a public meeting in Boulder on April 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Boulder Library Meadows Branch Meeting Room at 4800 Baseline Road to share information and collect feedback as a part of an environmental assessment for the Denver Metroplex project. Community comments are to be considered when the FAA makes its final decision.

The FAA will continue to provide updates on the Denver Metroplex project website with information regarding the draft Environmental Assessment and public workshops.