Rifle, Colorado

"Live and Work Where You Love To Play!"

Located on the Colorado’s western slope, 200 miles west of Denver, Rifle captures the perfect mix of old and new . . .of tradition and progress. It’s a place to start a business, it’s a place to raise a family, and it’s a place to retire. Rifle is unspoiled, offering a retreat from crowds, noise and pollution, while also offering year-round recreation, modern amenities and a near-perfect climate.

Due to recent developments in the oil and gas industry near Rifle, the population has risen from 6,784 in 2000 to 8,500 in 2006. There is a forecasted growth rate of 4-6 % between 2007 and 2012.

Surrounded by the White River National Forest, Rifle boasts an abundance of natural and man-made recreation. Five state parks are located around Rifle, Rifle Mountain Park, Rifle Gap State Park, Rifle Falls State Park, Harvey Gap State Park and the State Fish Hatchery. There is also the Rifle Creek Golf Course. They all offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities.

Rifle Mountain Park is located 13 miles north of Rifle and is known for its difficult rock climbs. It is quickly becoming a popular destination for climbers around the world with 200 established climbs in this narrow limestone canyon. This beautiful canyon is not a place for beginners – the majority of climbs are rated 5.10 or harder. In the winter months, excellent ice climbing is also a popular sport.

Rifle Gap State Park, named after the Rifle Gap Reservoir is only a 15-minute drive north of Rifle. In addition to supporting outstanding trout, walleye and small-mouth bass fishing, this reservoir provides a truly vivid setting for boating, jet skiing and water skiing. A paved boat ramp, numerous camping areas, picnic areas, swimming beach and fishing areas combine to make this lake facility one of the finest in the state.

Rifle Falls State Park is full of pleasant surprises. There are three falls, spilling the waters of East Rifle Creek onto the canyon floor 60 feet below. All around lush greenery glistens from the spray, making the setting appear almost tropical. Then, there are the caves, mysterious and alluring in the limestone cliffs around the falls. Some are mere windows in the rock, just big enough for a peek inside and a sample of the dark, moist air within. Others are big rooms and corridors, great for exploring with a flashlight. The 20 attractive and private camping sites are tucked in the canyon shaded by cottonwood trees and cooled by a burbling creek. Rifle Falls has about two miles of trails great for hiking or mountain biking.

Harvey Gap State Park is five miles east of the Rifle Gap Reservoir. This is a popular spot with Colorado anglers. The 160-acre lake is stocked with a variety of cold and warm water fish, including rainbow trout, crappie, catfish and small-mouth bass. Known for its premier windsurfing, the park also offers hiking, boating and picnicking. And, in winter, visitors can snowmobile, cross-country ski and ice fish. A day-use only area, Harvey Gap sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet.

For a more civilized outdoor activity, the Rifle Creek Golf Course offers one of the most scenic 18-hole championship courses in Colorado. This course was designed using all of the areas natural beauty. This beautiful and pristine course is nestled in the narrow Rifle Creek Valley, at the foot of the Grand Hogback Range.

Rifle, Colorado is definitely the place where you can ‘live and work where you love to play’. It has a growing population of 5,600, excellent schools, thirteen churches and high quality and affordable houses. A safe, friendly and helpful community with a very special western flavor!

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