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This innovative initiative, only the second such program in\nthe nation, was developed in collaboration with airports and the Colorado\nDepartment of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This effort comes amid an\nincreasing environmental focus on PFAS chemicals, as they have been found to\npose challenges to drinking water supplies. Airports certified under Federal\nAviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139 are currently required by federal\nregulations to use PFAS-based foam, and to annually test and certify aircraft\nrescue firefighting equipment and the foam utilized. Under the provisions of\nthis new statewide aviation initiative, the Colorado Division of Aeronautics\nprovided 100% funding for the acquisition of specialized testing and\ncontainment equipment designed to allow FAA-compliant firefighting foam testing\nto take place without the need for regular foam discharges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September of 2021, this statewide initiative was\ncompleted, with all eligible Colorado airports having acquired and deployed\ntheir foam testing equipment. (Photo below of the foam testing cart at the\nTelluride Regional Airport). In total, 12 eligible airports participated in the\nprogram, with the exception of Denver International Airport, which already had\nthe equipment, and Colorado Springs Airport where aircraft rescue and\nfirefighting services are provided by the U.S. Air Force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In developing this statewide aviation initiative, the\nColorado Division of Aeronautics has established a strong partnership with the\nColorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to support CDPHE\u2019s\nefforts in mitigating PFAS chemicals statewide. \u201cThe CAB and the Aeronautics\nDivision are proud to support CDPHE\u2019s PFAS mitigation efforts and assist\nColorado\u2019s airports in proactively taking action to be good stewards of our\nenvironment and Colorado\u2019s local communities,\u201d said Aeronautics Division\nDirector David Ulane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kenneth Maenpa said, “as Chair of the Colorado\nAeronautical Board, and manager of the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) I am\ndelighted that TEX is one of the airports that has participated in the\nDivision’s initiative to eliminate the need to put harmful PFAS agents into the\nenvironment while meeting FAA testing requirements. This equipment is a remarkable tool for\nensuring our aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment meets FAA standards\nwhile also helping us protect our environment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA top priority for breaking the chain of exposure to these\ntoxic chemicals is preventing further contamination. We applaud the Colorado\nDivision of Aeronautics for successfully completing this innovative solution to\nhelp our airports move more quickly to meet federal requirements while\nprotecting our communities and environment from additional harm caused by\nlong-term exposure to these chemicals,\u201d said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive\nDirector, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This mission of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics is to\nsupport Colorado’s multi-modal transportation system by advancing a safe,\nefficient, and effective statewide aviation system through collaboration,\ninvestment and advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CDPHE\u2019s mission is to advance Colorado\u2019s health and protect\nthe places where we live, learn, work, and play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n