In the wake of a lawsuit, community uproar and the disbanding of its airport community noise roundtable, Jefferson County announced it has selected Erick Alan Dahl as the new Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport director.

Dahl replaces former director Paul Anslow, who abruptly left the Broomfield-based general aviation airport in November 2023 under what was cited by the county as a “personnel matter.”

The county said in a news statement that Dahl plans to lead with a strong focus on community and stakeholder engagement. 

“It is my privilege to serve as airport director at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport,” Dahl stated. “I am eager to leverage my experience to enhance efficiency, strengthen community relationships, and ensure the airport continues to serve as a pivotal resource in the region.”

And improving community relationships is exactly what some expect to be at the top of Dahl’s list.

Daril Cinquanta, president of the Jeffco Aviation Association for 26 years, said he hopes the new hire “pans out.”

Critical of the former airport director, Cinquanta said he is hopeful Dahl will be receptive to the needs of airport tenants and users.

Dahl has held roles as an aeronautical analyst at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and served as airport director at St. Louis Downtown Airport. He has expertise in operations, planning and construction, information technology, and community engagement, according to the news release.

He is a licensed private pilot, holds a master’s degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle University and, according to a news release has spearheaded multimillion-dollar airport development projects, integrating technology into airport operations.

Dahl assumes his new role on June 17.

Owned and operated by Jefferson County, RMMA is a general aviation public-use airport and the third busiest airport in the state.

According to a 2020 Colorado Division of Aeronautics Economic Impact Study, the airport has a total statewide economic impact of $48.6 billion.