The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners approved the title of a ballot question about the airport, but called a special meeting for next week to resolve its own question.

Citizens Against Bigger Planes’ ballot question, which has an approved ballot title and is on its way to the November ballot, seeks to amend the Home Rule Charter to limit county officials’ decision-making authority regarding the expansion or relocation of a runway at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport beyond the dimensions and locations that existed on Jan. 1 without voter approval in its ballot question. It also clearly defines what “runway” is.

The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners’ ballot question, which is scheduled to be voted on next Tuesday, involves amending Article II of the Home Rule Charter, the county’s governing document, to reaffirm Pitkin County’s authority to approve and implement the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport Site Plan.

Before voting on a special session, Commissioner Kelly McNicholas Kury requested a closed session to further discuss the language of her voting proposal. After the closed session, the commissioners returned with revised language.

The wording of the ballot proposal was revised so heavily that Pitkin County interim prosecutor Ry Neiley said a second reading was needed so the public could review it and provide public comment.

The second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, just days before the September 6 deadline.

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On Tuesday, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) Board of Directors heard briefings from key stakeholders on the two airport ballot issues, including Amory Lovins of Aspen Fly Right and former Community Coalition for a 21st Century Airport elected officials Ann Mullins and George Newman.

“Today’s board meeting provided an important platform to hear insights from Aspen Fly Right and the Community Coalition for a 21st Century Airport and was invaluable in understanding the diverse perspectives presented,” said ACRA Board Chair Cristal Logan in an ACRA press release.

Aspen Fly Right emphasized that given the popularity of the Aspen airport for private and commercial flights, there are enough funds to engage an operator for Aspen that will keep the funds in the community and seek further compromise with the FAA. Lovins also presented several technologies in electronic avionics that he believes will reduce the need for future runway expansion, the release said.

The Community Coalition for a 21st Century Airport presented an overview of a 16-month community input process that resulted in the joint recommendations approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2020. The goals of the joint recommendations were incorporated into an amended airport layout plan submitted to the FAA this spring that included improving safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing growth and reducing noise at the airport. Former elected officials Mullins and Newman stressed the importance of modernizing the airfield terminal and transit options and highlighted a critical timeline to apply for FAA grant opportunities to fund the majority of the improvements before they expire in 2026, the release said.

Reach Regan Mertz at 970-429-9153 or [email protected].