Longmont Residents Voice Concerns Over Airport Noise and Local Issues

Residents of Longmont are raising their voices regarding ongoing issues related to noise pollution from Vance Brand Airport, as well as local community needs. Concerns were expressed at a recent community meeting on October 28, 2025, highlighting how the airport’s operations impact the quality of life for those living nearby.

Many residents noted that low-flying planes disrupt the tranquility of local parks, particularly Rogers Grove and Golden Ponds. One resident reported that despite living over two miles from the airport, the noise from multiple aircraft conducting touch-and-go maneuvers was significant enough to disturb their family time after work. “There were five planes circling the airport doing touch and goes, and two more on the runway waiting their turn,” the resident stated, emphasizing that these flights were primarily from flight schools located outside Longmont.

To address the ongoing disruptions, residents suggested that the city implement a landing fee system, particularly for operations outside of normal business hours. This proposal aims to limit the number of touch-and-go operations that occur at inconvenient times, thereby alleviating the noise burden on local communities.

Another pressing issue discussed was the rising demand for food assistance in Longmont. The OUR Center has reported a significant increase in requests for food and financial aid, particularly as many residents face disruptions in their income due to the recent government shutdown. “The food bank’s resources are getting stretched very, very thin, and the demand is going up,” one community member urged, calling for donations to support those in need.

In addition to these local concerns, residents expressed a desire for greater civic engagement with foundational documents such as the Constitution. Suggestions were made for the local newspaper, The Times-Call, to publish segments of the Constitution to promote understanding of the issues at stake in community discussions.

Further dialogue included clarifications on the financial performance of the city’s golf courses, which many residents believed were funded by taxpayer dollars. In reality, the courses generate their operating funds through fees, dispelling a common misconception.

As residents prepare to engage in upcoming elections, the sentiment is clear: the community is eager for changes that address both the noise from the airport and the pressing needs of its members. As one participant noted, “Longmont is being taken advantage of with these national flight schools. It is way past time to do something to reign them in.”

In a time of heightened community awareness, residents continue to seek solutions that foster a better living environment and ensure the well-being of all Longmont citizens.