Representatives from four national aviation associations, including EAA, supported the efforts of state organizations, such as the Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) and the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA), which provided testimony supporting amending House Bill HB24-1235. Colorado’s House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee convened on Wednesday, March 6, to hear testimony on the recently introduced bill, titled Reducing Impacts of Aviation on Communities. Since its introduction, local groups, including CABA and CPA, have worked closely with the bill's sponsors and coordinated the efforts and preparation with EAA and others. These efforts resulted in the bill’s sponsors introducing an amendment before the hearing, which addressed many of the aviation community's concerns and resulted in the bill garnering support from the aviation community.
Aviation groups, including AOPA, NBAA, and NATA, supported amendments to several sections of the bill. They also highlighted general aviation’s value to Colorado, the importance of ensuring its future, and the efforts underway to ensure a safe and smart transition to unleaded aviation gasoline through the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) and the efforts of fuel developers. The advocacy efforts of CABA, CPA, and others, coupled with the willingness of the bill sponsors, Rep. Kyle Brown, Rep. Shannon Bird, Sen. Steve Fenberg, and Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, to engage and work with all parties, demonstrates the value and effectiveness of coordinated local advocacy by EAA members and others.
