Skip to main content
HomeEmerging Airports

Emerging Airports

 

As Colorado continues to grow, several general aviation airports are beginning to face new pressures—whether from surrounding development, shifting community attitudes, or increased regulatory scrutiny. This page highlights airports where early advocacy, education, and collaboration are underway to help protect long-term sustainability.

 

Each listing serves as a living resource, sharing background, current challenges, and the work being done to support the airport’s role in safety, economic vitality, and community access. As situations evolve, these entries may expand into full stand-alone pages to provide deeper context and actionable guidance.

 

 

Summary of the Meadow Lake Airport (KFLY) Wind Turbine Hazard Issue

 

A proposal to construct two 75-foot wind turbine towers on private property less than a half-mile north of Meadow Lake Airport (KFLY) has triggered significant aviation-safety concerns. While the applicant asserted compliance with local zoning rules, subsequent reviews by Meadow Lake Airport Association (MLAA), the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), the FAA, Colorado pilots, and AOPA all independently conclude that the turbines constitute a direct hazard to air navigation, violate 14 CFR Part 77, and conflict with Colorado’s airport-protection statute (C.R.S. 43-10-113).

 

The documents linked on this page collectively demonstrate five critical points:

 

1. The Proposed Turbines Penetrate FAA-Protected Airspace

 

Both towers intrude into the Runway 15 20:1 visual approach surface, requiring pilots to fly higher, unstable, non-standard approaches and degrading the safety margin during the most critical phase of flight.

(See: MLAA Technical Objection; FAA Determination of Hazard)

 

The turbines would also penetrate:

  • The Vertical Guidance Surface (VGS) for the RNAV (GPS) 15 instrument approach.

  • The Initial Climb Area for Runway 33, affecting both VFR and IFR departures.

The FAA concluded the structures cannot be mitigated at the proposed height and location.

 

2. FAA’s Official Determination: Hazard to Air Navigation

 

In October 2025, the FAA issued a formal Determination of Hazard to Air Navigation, finding that the turbines:

  • Create substantial adverse effects to both VFR and IFR operations;

  • Make critical instrument procedures Not Authorized (N/A);

  • Force unstable approaches, particularly dangerous during high-density-altitude conditions;

  • Would remain a hazard because the applicant refused relocation or reduced height.

    (FAA Hazard Determination)

This is the strongest possible FAA safety warning short of federal enforcement action.

 

3. MLAA’s Position: Unacceptable Safety Risk to a High-Use Training Airport

 

MLAA — which operates KFLY — opposes the project on grounds that:

  • The site sits directly in line with the primary runway, despite many safer locations on the 327-acre parcel;

  • PAPI guidance for Runway 15 (already at 3.5°) would be rendered unusable;

  • Instrument procedures, circling minima, and missed approaches would all be degraded;

  • Prior real-world performance issues at KFLY have forced aircraft to land in the same pasture where turbines are now proposed.

    (MLAA Letter of Opposition; MLAA Member Memo)

MLAA has filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief to prevent construction.

 

4. USAF Academy’s Position: Turbines Would Severely Impair National-Level Training

 

USAFA relies heavily on KFLY for:

  • T-53 Airmanship Training,

  • AE456 Flight Test Techniques,

  • UV-18 proficiency,

  • Parachute operations,

  • 59% of Precision Flying Team sorties.

USAFA warns that the turbines:

  • Penetrate established arrival and departure corridors;

  • Threaten the Academy’s ability to safely train cadets;

  • Could cut available training time by up to 40%, given limited capacity elsewhere.

    (USAFA Review Comments)

This represents a national defense and military readiness impact.

 

5. CPA and AOPA Positions: Violations of Part 77 and Colorado Law

 

A detailed analysis from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) states that the project:

  • Conflicts with federal compatible land-use guidance, including AC 150/5190-4B;

  • Fails to comply with C.R.S. 43-10-113, which requires counties to protect airport airspace;

  • Would cause substantial economic and operational harm to KFLY;

  • Was approved before FAA completed its study, raising transparency concerns.

    (AOPA Compatibility & Safety Letter)

A separate pilot-authored advocacy letter likewise outlines statutory conflicts, safety hazards, and the failure of El Paso County to enforce required protections. (Pilot Advocacy Letter)

 

The Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) position aligns with these findings and supports MLAA’s efforts to safeguard airport operations and ensure compliance with state law.

 

Unified Conclusion

 

Across all evaluations—local, state, federal, and military—the conclusion is unequivocal:

 

The proposed wind turbines at the current site would create an immediate and avoidable hazard to aircraft using Meadow Lake Airport.

Every authoritative aviation body involved has recommended denial, relocation, or injunctive relief.

 

This summary serves as an overview.  Each referenced document linked below provides detailed evidence supporting the aviation community’s unified safety position.