Expanding the runway will create a host of issues

The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport needs rebuilding and improvements on both the groundside (terminal and transit), as well as the airside (runway and aprons). Pitkin County engaged the community in a multi-year visioning exercise for input and guidance on such an impactful project. The county has shared iterations with the FAA through the Airport Layout Plan process to work toward a site plan and funding for both the terminal and the runway. 

The FAA has rejected the proposal to rebuild the terminal and rebuild or replace the runway unless our valley accepts a wider runway, which would allow bigger planes, leading to more commercial flights and private planes. The FAA has gone as far to say that we will lose project and ongoing funding and could get stripped of modifications (that have worked for decades). It has been stated that without the wider runaway, the FAA could downgrade the airport classification to not allow some commercial service and may even force Pitkin County to build a 100-foot-tall control tower on the other side of Highway 82. Why is this dismissive and aggressive tact being used by the FAA?