Colorado Aviation Gets a Boost With New GA Alliance

June 24, 2013

General aviation (GA) interests in Colorado have a new advocacy group looking out for them. The Colorado General Aviation Alliance (CGAA) seeks to align the interests of the various aviation groups in the state to best represent all of them, especially on legislative issues.

“For the most part, what benefits one, benefits all,” said Iver Retrum, who represents the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) as treasurer on the CGAA board, and who was the driving force behind forming the new organization. Retrum noted that the alliance is comprised of delegates from the various state aviation groups so it can speak with a unified voice on issues of importance to all of them.

“We hope to foster a collaborative and cooperative relationship among CGAA members,” said Retrum.

CGAA will be focused on promoting GA within the state, as well as educating the public about the use, benefits and importance of general aviation to Colorado residents, according to Retrum. CGAA also hopes to bring the issues and concerns of general aviation to the attention of government and airport authorities, and to promote better relations with regulatory and other agencies.

One of the first issues the group will tackle is getting legislation enacted that would require the marking, lighting, and in some cases, reporting of meteorological evaluation towers (MET), a particular concern to aviation operations in the Northwest Mountain region.

“MET legislation could dramatically improve aviation safety in the state for many types of aircraft operations,” said Retrum.

In addition to CABA, some of the other Colorado groups that have joined the alliance include the Colorado Pilots Association, the Colorado Aviation Historical Society and the Colorado Airport Operators Association, as well as Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. NBAA serves CGAA in a non-voting advisory capacity and was a founding member of the new alliance.

“We congratulate CGAA on its vision in forming a collaborative group of all stakeholders to advocate for general aviation interests in Colorado,” said Steve Hadley, NBAA’s director of regional programs and Southwest regional representative. “This is a unique endeavor that should reap positive outcomes for the entire Colorado general aviation community, and NBAA will continue to support CGAA’s efforts.”

NBAA offers resources for regional aviation groups, including templates that can be used develop bylaws, organizational structures and planning materials for regional events. Visit the Regional Business Aviation Groups Library.