The future management and operation of the Silver West Airport in Westcliffe, Colo., will be in focus at a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 30 by the Custer County Board of Commissioners.
Pilots concerned about the future administration of the airport are encouraged to attend the session called “to consider terminating the authority of the Custer County Airport Authority Board,” according to a hearing notice on the county’s website.
In addition, the hearing would consider having the board of county commissioners assume responsibility for airport operation “with the assistance of an Airport Advisory Board.”
Currently, the Custer County Airport Authority manages and operates the airport—an arrangement now considered for termination as a budgetary measure as a result of a motion by Commissioner Lynn Attebery at the county commission’s Oct. 31 meeting.
John Collins, AOPA manager of airport policy, urged pilots to participate in the decision-making process for the airport.
“Many users of the airport are concerned that the county commissioners will not have the expertise or the inclination to maintain the airport in accordance with state and federal standards,” he said.
The hearing will be Nov.30 at 1 p.m. at the Custer County Courthouse, 205 South 6th St., Westcliffe, CO. 81252.
For more information contact Wes Taylor, AOPA’s Airport Support Network volunteer for Silver West Airport.
