Delivery drones are coming to Denver. But who regulates them?

Key Points:

• Walmart plans to launch drone delivery in Denver by 2027 through a partnership with Wing, a drone operator owned by Alphabet, aiming to deliver thousands of items within 30 minutes from five local stores.
• Wing’s drones can fly up to 60 mph, carry packages up to five pounds, and must comply with FAA regulations, including commercial carrier certificates, advanced tracking, and noise reviews.
• While the FAA controls drone airspace, cities like Northglenn are using land-use laws to regulate drone delivery hubs, proposing limits on operation hours, noise levels, and proximity to homes and schools.
• Northglenn is drafting regulations to manage drone deliveries without banning them, aiming to remain economically competitive, while nearby towns like Castle Rock and Parker have imposed temporary bans to assess impacts.
• Walmart and Wing plan to expand drone delivery to over 270 locations nationwide, potentially reaching more than 40 million Americans next year, with drones already operating in several major U.S. cities.