ANC Endorsed
Lauren Folkerts is the current Boulder Mayor Pro-Tem (Vice Mayor) and a local architect. She is running for re-election to Council. She is a sharp, consistent voice on Council for policy that advances affordability, housing, and climate goals and increases equity. Lauren supported the city entering into the lawsuit to clarify legal obligations to the FAA and commented on our questionnaire “I believe any consideration of the site’s future should involve a transparent public process, grounded in community input, and alignment with Boulder’s long-term goals.” She also supports operating the airport to minimize noise, pollution, and other impacts on the community. In her first term, Lauren has recused herself from Council consideration of airport land use issues due to a potential conflict of interest with her architectural firm. With the airport’s future in a bit of legal limbo until 2040 anyway and Council unable to take action on repurposing any time soon, keeping pro-airport folks off Council needs to be the highest priority in this election. Having Lauren on Council for another four years will be a plus for our campaign. Read more about Lauren and her policy positions at her campaign website.
Here are Lauren's full questionnaire answers.
1. What do you think the city should do about its lawsuit against the FAA to clarify how long the city is legally obligated to run the airport?
▢ Drop the lawsuit indefinitely. Keep this site an airport no matter what.
▢ Keep our legal options open. Appeal or pursue legal clarification about who controls this land when the time is ripe. Don't accept any more grants that would extend our contractual obligations to the FAA past 2040. Find other ways to fund airport needs, which amount to a fraction of a percent of the city's annual budget.
▢ I’m not prepared to answer at this time.
✔ I can’t comment for legal reasons.
▢ Other
Elaboration: Because the City still has the opportunity to appeal the current decision, I can’t speak to the specifics of the lawsuit. That said, I initially supported entering into the lawsuit because I think it’s important for the City to fully understand its legal obligations and options regarding the airport’s future.
2. Assuming that the City of Boulder establishes local control over the future of the airport site, what do you personally think is the highest and best use of these 174 city-owned acres?
▢ Airport
▢ Primarily housing / mixed use neighborhoods
▢ Primarily open space / public park
▢ The people of Boulder should decide through a public process or vote
▢ I’m not prepared to answer at this time.
✔ I can’t comment for legal reasons.
▢ Other
Elaboration: As a City Councilmember, it is important that I maintain impartiality on any decision that could come before Council as a quasi-judicial matter. Because future decisions about the airport site could fall into that category, I can’t share a personal opinion on its potential uses. However, I believe any consideration of the site’s future should involve a transparent public process, grounded in community input, and alignment with Boulder’s long-term goals.
3. In the event that Boulder keeps the airport (either because of judicial decision or city decision), what kind of airport should we have?
▢ About the same as we have now
▢ Smaller! There are already too many flights out of Boulder airport. Keep it safe but minimal.
▢ Bigger! We should expand the airport with more tenants and better facilities and attract more aviation activity to Boulder.
✔ I’m not prepared to answer at this time.
▢ I can’t comment for legal reasons.
▢ Other
Elaboration: If Boulder continues to operate an airport, it’s essential that it align with our community’s environmental and public health goals. That means moving away from the use of leaded aviation fuels and supporting the transition to cleaner, quieter technologies as they become available. It also means working proactively to mitigate noise impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and ensuring that operations are managed responsibly and transparently.
4. Is there anything else you would like the ANC and the public to know about your policy positions regarding the airport and the future of the site?
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