Government & Regulations

The aviation landscape in the Front Range region is shaped by a multi-layered framework of governance, regulation, and legislation. This section provides an overview of the various jurisdictions that influence airport operations—local, state, and federal—as well as the key laws and ongoing legal developments that affect the aviation community.

Local Government

Counties and municipalities often own and operate airports, oversee zoning and land use policies near airfields, and may enforce noise ordinances or curfews.
Local planning commissions, economic development offices, and emergency management agencies are frequent airport partners.

State Government

The Colorado Department of Transportation - Division of Aeronautics manages statewide aviation system planning and administers airport grant programs.
The Colorado Aeronautical Board sets strategic priorities for airport funding and system development.
Legislative actions at the Colorado General Assembly may directly impact how airports operate or are regulated.

Federal Government

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees airspace, aircraft operations, pilot and aircraft certification, and airport design standards.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) governs some types of airport security operations.
Additional federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may influence airport planning and operations depending on the issue.

Applicable Laws & Regulatory Framework

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which governs aircraft, airmen, and airport operations nationwide.
FAA Grant Assurances. Obligations attached to federal airport funding, including rules on revenue use, access, and nondiscrimination.
NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act). Governs environmental review for airport development projects.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Applies to passenger accessibility at public-use airports.
Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS). Relevant laws include airspace zoning (CRS 43-10), airport hazard regulations, and tax policy on aviation-related sales or fuel.

Ongoing Legal & Policy Topics on the Front Range

This section monitors evolving legal discussions or legislative actions that could impact airport operations in the Front Range:

HB24-1235 Implementation. Monitoring how new public noise disclosure rules will affect flight schools, airport communication practices, and voluntary noise abatement efforts.
Statewide Fuel Tax Reform. Legislative proposals on aviation fuel tax allocation and potential impacts on airport funding mechanisms.
Urban Encroachment Legislation. Emerging policy tools to protect airport operating environments from incompatible land use.
Part 150 Noise Studies. Local airports exploring FAA-sponsored noise studies to evaluate mitigation options and federal funding eligibility.
Environmental Regulation. Regulatory action around firefighting foam use and its implications for airport emergency response and environmental compliance.

Google Sites

Report abuse