Rep. Neguse Calls on FAA to Reverse Course on New RMMA Flight Maps Amid Community Safety Concerns

Lafayette, CO — Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) wrote to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imploring them to immediately reconsider and reverse the new flight maps for the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA), implemented in June of this year. 

Neguse’s letter was written in response to reports that the FAA did not consult airport leadership, municipal leadership, or the community at large before rerouting airplane traffic coming in and out of RMMA. A recent memo released by the FAA outlines the challenges facing the regional airport that have led to it becoming the leading airport for Potentially Significant Events (PSEs), which include both runway incursions and airborne safety incidents. In fact, the memo details that RMMA has had more safety incidents than the Denver International Airport, the sixth busiest in the entire world, further emphasizing the need to alter flight paths in a responsible, collaborative way. 

The FAA’s memo acknowledges that RMMA’s high density of air traffic is one of the contributing factors to the ongoing issues. Given this complexity, the decision to implement new flight maps without consulting airport leadership, municipal officials, or the local community has raised legitimate concerns about the oversight in managing such changes.

Read Neguse’s full letter HERE and below. 

Coloradans living near RMMA continue to suffer from issues of noise pollution and safety concerns associated with the airport’s operations. Over the years, Congressman Neguse has led letters, put forth legislation, and held a town hall to tackle this issue, among others. He is also a member of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, which seeks to raise awareness on the issue of aircraft noise and find meaningful solutions to the problem.

October 20, 2025

Bryan Bedford

Administrator 

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20591

Administrator Bedford, 

I write to implore the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately reconsider and reverse the new flight maps for the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) that were implemented in June of this year. As you know, these flight maps were not implemented in consultation with the local community, municipal leaders, or the airport leadership, and as such, should be revisited.

At minimum, any changes to flight paths coming in and out of any airport should be done in consultation with airport leadership. However, as I understand it, RMMA’s Director has stated he was not consulted or warned about changes to the airspace. 

According to a memo released by your agency, the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado leads the country in the number of “Potentially Significant Events,” or safety incidents. In fact, it has had more safety incidents than the Denver International Airport, the sixth busiest in the entire world. This memo goes on to note that, “given the number of PSEs and high density of traffic, it is imperative the operation be structured in a manner that reduces risk in the air and on the surface.” Of course, the most effective way of reducing risk and promoting safety is to include the airport leadership, municipal leaders, and the surrounding community in any flight path changes. 

Furthermore, the new RMMA flight path now covers parts of Louisville, Paragon Estates, and the Spanish Hills area of Boulder County. Many of the homes and residents in this area were victims of the recent Marshall Fire, the most destructive fire in our state’s history. These residents have been rebuilding their homes for years, and now, they are falling victim to the noise pollution and safety concerns associated with RMMA’s operations. 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law No: 118-63) provides very specific avenues for the FAA to engage communities before implementing new flight paths. The new law created the Community Collaboration Program, for example, to improve engagement with communities regarding flight procedure changes, enhance the responsiveness of the noise complaint process, and implement outreach strategies. 

RMMA has become both one of the highest density and least safe general aviation airports in the country. As such, it’s critically important that the FAA properly consider new flight paths by engaging airport leadership, municipal leaders, and affected communities, so as not to further jeopardize the safety of the surrounding communities. For these reasons, I urge you to revisit and reverse these new flight paths at RMMA.

Sincerely, 

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