A group pushing for the closure of the Boulder Airport has withdrawn two ballot measures that would have kickstarted the process of building housing on the site.

In a statement, the Airport Neighborhood Campaign cited a “surprise” lawsuit filed by the City of Boulder against the Federal Aviation Administration as the reason for the move.

A group opposed to closing the airport, called Save Boulder Airport, championed the withdrawals, saying there were “too many unanswered questions.” But the Airport Neighborhood Campaign is not giving up, but shifting their strategy as they wait for litigation to proceed.

“Boulderites across the political spectrum have expressed a desire to wait for resolution of the Boulder v. FAA litigation before weighing in on the future of the airport site,” the group said. “Given that airport closure and repurposing is a long-term project — potentially through May 2040 — Boulder has time to make this decision as a community.”

The group added that the campaign for “housing for people, not parking for planes” is a “marathon, not a sprint.”

Meanwhile, the campaign to save the airport thanked the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, which the group said recognized its importance to the local economy.

“We are thrilled that the proponents realized what we’ve been saying all along: There are too many unknowns, and it is very risky for Boulder,” the head of Save Boulder Airport said in a news release. “Our campaign saw a huge groundswell of support from people all across Boulder who were opposed to the measures. Now, we look forward to the City of Boulder resuming acceptance of FAA grants and creating an airport we can all be proud of.”

Amid the fight between the two groups, one organization rooted at the airport, the Boulder Soaring Society, shared major success on the national and world stage by taking home third place in a U.S. glider competition and placed fourth in a worldwide competition.

“The objective of the league is to fly gliders over the greatest distance within a two-hour time window,” Bob Faris, team captain of the Boulder Soaring Society, said in a news release. “Although gliders fly without engines, pilots can achieve average cruise speeds of 100 mph and more by exploiting natural updrafts in the atmosphere.”

The Boulder Soaring Society noted the unique topography of the Rocky Mountains, which makes Boulder a “premiere soaring site” worldwide.

The Boulder team, which has been operational since 1959, routinely places in the Top 10 among thousands of participants at national and international competitions, the group said.