Apparently, Latin isn’t dead after all.
Tuesday night, Longmont City Council will hold an executive session to discuss the Town of Superior’s request for Longmont’s participation in an amicus curiae brief.
Superior is nearing the culmination of a multi-year long lawsuit against the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport for excessive noise and lead-based fuel impacts.
That’s not a typo:
Amicus curiae is a Latin phrase that translates to “friend of the court.” Amicus briefs are filed when a party not involved in an ongoing lawsuit provides information or expertise that could help the court make a decision.
Amicus briefs are especially common when the verdict in a case could have sweeping public impacts…kind of like this one.
Backstory:
Early 2024: Aircraft noise becomes “incessant” in Superior. Per a Town of Superior news release, an aircraft was overhead the town every 90 seconds on average for the entire year.
March, 2024: Superior and Boulder County join forces to sue Jefferson County, who owns the airport.
March, 2025: Boulder County District Court dismisses the lawsuit.
Superior appeals the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
March, 2026: Appeals court affirms the dismissal, Superior begins mulling whether to take case to the Colorado Supreme Court.
How the case affects Longmont:
Escalating airport noise is a hot topic in Longmont, too. The city recently launched the “Airport Noise Improvement Project” amid rising outcry from locals about increased noise and activity from Vance Brand Municipal Airport.
Superior noted in a recent press release that its lawsuit could impact other Colorado communities adjusting to similar conflict with nearby airports. If Superior appeals to the state supreme court and loses, it would establish a precedent unlikely for any other community to overcome.
Longmont residents, too, have petitioned the city to support Superior.
Executive sessions are closed to the public, but don’t worry about councilmembers pulling a fast one — No formal action will be taken at the meeting.
But, if Longmont decides not to move forward, my cousin Vinny is available.