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Officials from the city of Steamboat Springs and Routt County took proper steps this week to address two of this area's most pressing issues -- air transportation and affordable housing.

On Tuesday night, the county commissioners and City Council members agreed to create an airport commission to oversee Yampa Valley Regional Airport and Bob Adams Field. Also last week, commissioners and council members announced plans for a proposed housing authority to oversee affordable housing in Northwest Colorado and to hold a public hearing on the plan July 9.

The airport commission would replace the Yampa Valley Regional Airport Advisory Board. The commission would be comprised of nine members representing different segments of the county. The commission would not have taxing authority, but it would be able to make specific budget recommendations to the city and county for approval and to oversee the directors of the airports.

City and county officials properly raised questions about whether the commission might create confusion for the airport directors. And the creation of the commission doesn't address the most pressing need -- funding -- for the commercial airport in Hayden.

But overall, the commission is a smart move.

Yampa Valley Regional Airport is in sad shape -- it is small, cramped and outdated. Heightened security requirements, while necessary, have exacerbated the situation. Even if the community had the chance to expand air travel into the airport, it could not happen given current conditions.

There have been squabbles over how much money each entity contributes to the airport in Hayden, and there have been concerns that an authority overseeing both airports would have a negative impact on Steamboat Springs Airport.

An airport commission is the best way to move past such political disagreements. The commission is an entity that will represent all sides and serve as an advocate for what's in the best interest of the county's air facilities. And we are optimistic that it can avoid the fate of past airport authorities.

Similarly, a housing authority would create a new and improved advocate for affordable housing. That's not to say the Regional Affordable Living Foundation hasn't been effective -- the success of West End Village is proof to the contrary. But a multi-jurisdictional housing authority would, in the long run, have the power to levy taxes and borrow money. The city and county have said a tax will not be sought initially, but simply creating the authority is an important step.

The data on housing speaks for itself -- Routt County is among the top 3 percent in the nation in terms of housing costs. Steamboat Springs needs working families, but working families can't afford to live here. Creating an authority that has the funding and the power to address those families' housing needs makes sense.

Much is demanded of our city and county government. Often there are more demands than they can realistically meet. No one wants more bureaucracy, but in some cases it makes sense for government to create subgroups whose mission and focus are singular. The airports and affordable housing are such cases.