Town Hall: What the City Can and Cannot Do About Airport Noise

The City of Longmont, Colorado held a town hall meeting on July 28, 2026, focused on what the city can and cannot do regarding airport noise regulation. Legal expert John Putnham from Kaplan Kersh provided an in-depth presentation on federal laws and FAA regulations that limit local control over airport noise, including the impact of FAA grant assurances and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act. The discussion covered the city's limited proprietary powers due to federal preemption, the voluntary nature of noise abatement procedures, and the challenges in imposing restrictions such as landing fees or touch-and-go operation limits without FAA approval. The meeting also addressed ongoing and planned procurement activities related to airport operations, including a federal grant for taxiway safety improvements and a forthcoming presentation by vendor AMS on noise monitoring technology. Questions from the public highlighted concerns about flight patterns, noise data collection, and potential incentives for quieter aircraft, with city officials emphasizing collaboration with FAA and other regional airports to manage noise impacts within federal constraints.