Spring, 2024: The FAA contacted Boulder City Council asserting its opinion that Boulder is obligated to operate the airport forever, unless released by the FAA.

Spring, 2024: The FAA asserts Boulder's obligation to operate airport in perpetuity.

In an attempt at intimidation, the FAA contacted Boulder City Council asserting its opinion that Boulder is obligated to operate the airport forever, unless released by the FAA. The FAA “explained that it will only consider releasing an airport sponsor . . . where this is a net benefit to civil aviation” and that “it would not consider the closure of the Airport to benefit civil aviation.”

History shows that the FAA only releases airports (in other words, allows the airport to be decommissioned) under extreme circumstances such as:

Litigation, which was the case for Santa Monica Airport
An act of Congress that requires them to do so, as with Banning Airport in California
When an entirely new replacement airport is built, such as Stapleton Airport which was replaced by Denver International Airport, and Mueller Airport which was replaced by Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.