ANC Endorsed
Nicole Speer ran a brain imaging lab at CU for many years, losing her job recently due to federal funding cuts. She is a past Mayor Pro-Tem and is seeking re-election to Council. Read more about Nicole and her policy positions at her campaign website. Nicole’s first term on Council has been distinguished by a consistent focus on equity, community-building, and sound financial management. In this race, she has emphasized the challenges ahead of the city given the volatility at the national level. She is cautious about committing to any specific outcomes until these issues can be considered by Council, grounded in good staff work and public involvement. On the ANC’s questionnaire, she says “At minimum, the future of the airport must include unleaded fuel, safe operations for airport users and surrounding neighborhoods, and continued progress on noise abatement … I will always make decisions based on facts, legality, sound financial management, and alignment with citywide strategic plans and community goals.” In an atmosphere where a strong pro-aviation lobby is pressuring candidates to come out as pro-airport, we need Council Members like Nicole who have resisted that pressure, and who will listen to science, data, and local community input. We believe keeping Nicole on Council for another term will be good for our cause.
Here are Nicole'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
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: Because decisions about this area may come before Council as a quasi-judicial matter, I’m legally and ethically required to remain impartial. Taking a position in advance could require me to recuse myself from any future decision about the future of this site.
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: At minimum, the future of the airport must include unleaded fuel, safe operations for airport users and surrounding neighborhoods, and continued progress on noise abatement. Beyond that, I am not prepared to speak to what our city will need to navigate a future that looks increasingly chaotic. I will always make decisions based on facts, legality, sound financial management, and alignment with citywide strategic plans and community goals.
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?
No, as a current member of Boulder's City Council, my policy positions are already public.