CHALLENGE

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport hadn’t seen major upgrades in over 40 years and no longer met modern FAA safety or environmental standards. A citizens’ group opposed necessary improvements—particularly widening the runway—and launched a ballot initiative to strip decision-making authority from the County Commissioners. In response, Pitkin County placed a competing measure on the ballot to retain local control.

SOLUTION

To advocate for a safe, sustainable, and modernized airport, the Coalition for a 21st Century Airport was formed. Led by a bipartisan group of 15 former elected officials and key community leaders, the coalition hired MC to run a comprehensive political campaign. This included polling, crafting ballot language, community organizing and executing a $300,000 communications strategy across advertising, social media, video, direct mail, and 10-plus community events.

RESULT

Voters decisively backed the County’s measure, with 67% voting in favor. The opposition’s initiative failed, with 61% voting against—a clear mandate for moving forward with critical airport improvements.