b'GENERAL AVIATIONGWS 55that the airport is a community amenity. TheRippy and his associates opted to form a 501(c)(4) nonprofit city attorney, in turn, consulted Gregg Rippy,entity rather than a 501(c)(3)nonprofit because that designation a local business owner, pilot, former airportwould allow them to receive grants from the Colorado commission chair and former ColoradoDepartment of Transportation for airport projects. When creating House representative.and registering the new nonprofit, they named it (and shortly after, the airport itself) KGWS Sumers Airpark to honor the family Nonprofit Benefits that donated most of the land for the original airfield. Rippy notes that when the idea of nonprofitGREGG RIPPY The nonprofit is structured as a membership organization with management for the airport was initiallyannual dues of $100, and it already had 70 members as of mid-floated, the city charter allowed Glenwood Springs to sell or closeDecember 2024. Wouldnt it be great if people of the community any city-owned property (including GWS) with only a majorityhad ownership? Rippy asks rhetorically. Local pilots, community vote from the city council. That meant airport proponents neededmembers and aviation enthusiasts who join have voting privileges to move quickly to prevent a vote to close the airport as theand can run for the board. The first election of six directors is proposed bridge project continued to be developed. In 2022, wescheduled for Jan. 15, 2025. One director is required to be a engaged an attorney and looked for alternatives to not close thenon-pilot. Rippy, who is not running for a board seat, is serving airport, says Rippy. as the groups interim president and plans to continue helping on While Rippy didnt know of any airports being operated by aan ad hoc basis after the board is elected. nonprofit group, he knew that Meadow Lake Airport (FLY) in Peyton,The idea of involvement from a nonprofit is not new. In 2005, CO, was pilot-owned. I called the manager there and spoke withlocal pilots and aviation enthusiasts formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit him a number of times and he offered help with everything, recallsfundraising group called Friends of the Glenwood Springs Airport. Rippy. He was particularly interested to learn that FLY had receivedHelm, who has campaigned with the group over the years, FAA grants and hoped the same might be true for GWS. explains that donations and t-shirt sales support a $2,000 annual AirportImprovement.comJanuary | February 2025'