April 23, 2026 City of Boulder City Council Study Session

The City of Boulder City Council held a study session on April 23, 2026, focusing primarily on two key topics: the future of the Boulder Municipal Airport and the city's power resiliency and reliability. Regarding the airport, council members discussed two scenarios: continuing to operate the airport indefinitely with access to FAA grants (scenario one) versus foregoing federal grants and potentially closing the airport by 2040 (scenario two). The discussion included financial projections, capital improvement needs such as a $2 million fuel tank replacement and runway seal coating projects, and the implications of FAA grant assurances that could obligate the city in perpetuity. A straw poll showed a slight majority favoring scenario one, indicating a preference to maintain the airport indefinitely while acknowledging concerns about long-term financial commitments and community impacts such as noise and leaded fuel use. On power resiliency, staff presented on the increasing frequency and impact of power outages linked to wildfire risk and aging infrastructure. The city is partnering with Xcel Energy to improve system reliability through infrastructure hardening, undergrounding power lines, and enhanced community engagement. Council supported the proposed approach and engagement plan, emphasizing the need for measurable outcomes and equity considerations. No formal votes were taken, but clear direction was given to staff to proceed with scenario one for the airport and to continue developing the power resilience roadmap.