Garfield County Commissioners unanimously advanced three major projects to improve the Rifle Garfield County Airport on Monday. The meeting approved federal and state grants and took important steps to encourage private and commercial development at the airport.
Federal and state grants approved to strengthen infrastructure
During Monday’s meeting, GarCo commissioners approved the Federal Airport Infrastructure Grant in the amount of $590,795 and a Discretionary Aviation Grant from the State of Colorado Division of Aeronautics in the amount of $32,779.
“Today is a day of celebration for Garfield County Airport,” said Garfield County Airport Director Brian Condie, expressing his excitement about the impact these projects will have on airport operations over the next five to 10 years. “I’m very excited to bring these three projects to the county and move the airport forward.”
The federal grant is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to improve aviation infrastructure nationwide. These funds are intended to address critical needs, including runway maintenance, taxiway modernization, and safety system improvements. While smaller, the state grant supplements the federal funds by funding additional projects specifically targeted at Colorado’s aviation goals.
Condie noted that these grants come at a crucial time as the airport prepares for an increase in traffic and activity.
“These concept plans will help develop the future use of the airport for aviation or other purposes, whichever is best and most appropriate,” Condie said. “We need to make the airport open and free to use… This is the process that follows our commitment to open it to the public.”
The grants will also enable the airport to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which Condie said are becoming increasingly stringent as aviation technology and safety standards evolve.
Condie also discussed the collaborative efforts required to secure these grants, citing extensive planning and coordination with various county agencies and outside consultants.
“We have assembled a team of internal and specialized external consultants to figure out how best to open the land to the public,” Condie said.
Request for concept plans to explore development opportunities
Monday’s meeting also included approval of a Request for Conceptual Plans (RFCP) to solicit proposals for leases that will allow for the development of private and commercial airport facilities. This initiative is designed to unlock the potential of unused land at the airport to create new hangars, aircraft maintenance facilities and potentially non-aviation uses that could diversify the airport’s revenue streams.
Explaining the importance of the RFCP in the broader context of the airport’s development strategy, Condie stressed that this initiative is about determining the best and best use of the available land. The RFCP opens the door for the leasing of land that has not previously been made available to the public.
The process of delivering this property has been planned with the involvement of both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
“We are a federally-run airport, so we have to make it open and free,” Condie said. “This process has taken a long time administratively, but it’s critical that we get it right.”
One of the key features of the RFCP is the requirement that interested parties submit a $75,000 deposit along with their concept plans. This deposit is designed to ensure that only serious and committed developers participate in the process.
“We are requiring a $75,000 bond to show genuine interest,” Condie said. “It’s a new approach, but we have deemed it necessary to protect the interests of the county.”
The decision to require this deposit was made after careful consideration and consultation with legal and procurement experts. The goal is to prevent situations where developers express interest in a property but later back out, which Condie said has happened in the past. By requiring a significant financial commitment up front, the county hopes to filter out speculative proposals and focus on projects that are likely to come to fruition.
“In the last two years, two companies have come before the board, had their concept plan approved, and then backed out without consequence,” Condie explained. “That $75,000 deposit per property is required after the assessment team makes a recommendation, and once the commissioners accept it, the party is bound.”
The RFCP will cover multiple parcels of land, each with its own development potential. Interested parties can submit proposals for single or multiple adjacent parcels, depending on their plans. The evaluation process will involve a detailed review of each concept plan, with a scoring system designed to assess the feasibility and potential benefits of each proposal.
“Each assessment sheet is for each concept plan and can apply to a single property or multiple properties,” Condie said. The assessment process is designed to ensure the land is used as effectively as possible and balances the needs of the airport with those of the wider public.
Commission members also discussed the composition of the evaluation team that will play a critical role in selecting the winning proposals. The team will consist of airport experts, community representatives and legal experts to ensure that all aspects of each proposal are thoroughly reviewed.
Comprehensive business and master plan to shape future growth
In addition to the RFCP, commissioners approved the development of a comprehensive business plan and master plan for the airport to guide its future growth and development. These plans are tools to set strategic priorities, allocate resources, and ensure airport expansion is sustainable and aligned with the county’s long-term goals.
“The airport business plan guides the airport master plan,” Condie said. “The business plan gives county government and elected officials a blueprint of where they want to take the airport, and the master plan provides the basics of how to get there.”
The business plan focuses on the immediate and short-term needs of the airport and provides a detailed roadmap for the next five years. It includes an analysis of current operations, financial performance and potential revenue streams. One of the main objectives of the business plan is to find ways to maximize the airport’s non-operating revenue, such as through land leases and other commercial activities.
“I want the business plan to be written by a professional,” Condie said, noting that this approach ensures the plan is comprehensive and based on the best available data.
The Master Plan, on the other hand, will take a longer-term perspective, looking 20 years into the future. It will address major investment projects, land use planning and the airport’s role in the regional transport network. The Master Plan will be closely aligned with the Business Plan and will ensure that short-term measures are compatible with long-term objectives.
“The airport master plan will be the blueprint for how we achieve our strategic goals,” Condie said. “It will give us the detailed guidance we need to make informed decisions about infrastructure investments, land use and other important issues.”
One of the challenges in developing these plans is ensuring they are flexible enough to accommodate changes in the aviation industry and the overall economy. Garfield County commissioners said they are aware of this challenge and stressed the need for ongoing updates and revisions to the plans as new information becomes available.
“When I look at a business master plan, I look at the next 10 to 20 years,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “I look at what you’re doing today, about five years out, and your budget is part of that, and it fits together nicely.”
The total cost of the business plan is $128,680, which will be covered by reallocating funds from the airport’s existing capital budget. Specifically, the money will come from a budget item originally earmarked for upgrading the security cameras, but whose completion was postponed until next year.
“We can transfer those funds from our security camera project to cover the additional $69,000 and more for the business plan,” Condie said, noting that this approach will allow the airport to move forward without additional funding.
The Commissioners supported this plan and recognised the importance of a well-developed business and master plan.
“This is really important for the district and sets the course for the next decades,” said Condie.
The next steps include assembling the Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which will consist of representatives from the airport, local communities and aviation experts.
“We have reached out to the public and the airport user group to generate interest in the TAC,” Condie said. “We are looking for individuals with the necessary expertise to provide valuable input and help us shape the future of the airport.”
The TAC will meet at several key points during the planning process, reviewing drafts of the master plan and providing feedback. Its recommendations will be critical to ensuring the final plan is both practical and meets community needs.
“We are excited to see everything come together,” concluded Samson.
