Wondering what Fort Collins mayor candidates have to say about Northern Colorado Regional Airport as you fill out your ballot?
The Coloradoan sent identical questionnaires to all of the candidates running for Fort Collins mayor and City Council in the Nov. 4, 2025, election.
More: Are you ready for the 2025 election? Your guide to Larimer County-area candidates, issues
Below are their answers to this question: How would the Northern Colorado Regional Airport, jointly owned by Fort Collins and Loveland, best serve its community? And should attracting commercial service be a priority?
Note: Candidate responses were reviewed and, in some cases, lightly edited to adhere to Coloradoan style guidelines.
Tricia Canonico
“FNL can best serve the community as a regional alternative to DEN, while not attempting to compete directly with our primary hub. Additionally, the current use as a ground transport hub, with parking and convenient service to DEN, is an excellent use.
“While I don’t believe the city should work to prevent commercial service from coming to FNL, I also don’t support any prioritized recruitment efforts. A history of failed efforts to secure stable airline service should serve as a cautionary note in this regard.”
Check out Canonico’s full Q&A here.
Adam Eggleston
“With our region expected to grow to nearly a million people in the next 25 to 30 years, keeping a strong regional airport makes sense. Commercial and even international flights would improve access, support CSU and local schools, and help attract jobs and investment. I’d like to see commercial flights return to serve the community and strengthen connections across the region.”
Check out Eggleston’s full Q&A here.
Emily Francis
“The airport should serve the community by improving regional connectivity and providing convenient travel options while remaining financially sustainable. The airport can serve as a regional transportation hub and help reduce single vehicle trips in the region.
“Attracting commercial service must be done strategically, with airlines that offer reliable routes meeting community demand and ensuring a balanced approach to remain a responsible neighbor to surrounding communities and residents.”
Check out Francis’ full Q&A here.
Adam Hirschhorn
“This intersects with the largest piece of the second highest sector contributing to emissions. I’m not against air travel that serves the public. I’m against the high roller who uses jet travel licentiously. We should tax the living flight outta that.”
Check out Hirschhorn’s full Q&A here.
Shirley Peel
“The airport is a vital shared asset but I believe it would best serve the public under an airport authority for management, ensuring accountability and efficiency.
“Its role should focus on regional mobility, economic growth and emergency services while being a good neighbor to nearby residents.
“Attracting commercial air service can be a goal, but it must be balanced with financial responsibility, demand and environmental impacts. Expanding services like DIA shuttles is equally important.
“The airport should grow in ways that strengthen our economy without overburdening taxpayers.”
Check out Peel’s full Q&A here.
Jeffrey Shumway
As of the morning of Oct. 13, Shumway had not submitted his Q&A.
Scott ‘Scotty V’ VanTatenhove
“The Northern Colorado Regional Airport is one of those things many residents don’t really talk about in everyday conversations. Honestly, I don’t hear much about it from people compared to housing, Hughes or music festivals.
“That said, if the airport can serve the community in better ways that people actually value, whether that’s expanding small-scale commercial service, business use or even just keeping the planned updates happening, I’m willing to listen.
“More people ask me about my YouTube bird cam than the airport, but maybe I’m talking to the wrong people.”
Check out VanTatenhove’s full Q&A here. VanTatenhove told the Coloradoan he used AI to assist him in answering the questions.
Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins mayor candidates Q&A answers on the regional airport
