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Rifle, CO

Frequently asked questions

Rifle, CO

Rifle is a home rule municipality in, and the most populous community of, Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 10,437 at the 2020 census. Rifle is a regional center of the cattle ranching industry located along Interstate 70 and the Colorado River just east of the Roan Plateau, which dominates the western skyline of the town. The town was founded in 1882 by Abram Maxfield and was incorporated in 1905 along Rifle Creek, near its mouth on the Colorado. The community takes its name from the creek.

The land that Rifle resides on was once in the heart of the Ute Nation, a classification of the Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin. The most common tribe in the area was the Tabagauche, who hunted and lived on the land slightly to the east of Rifle in the Roaring Fork Valley. Due to their location, the Tabagauche were somewhat less exposed to white settlers, and to some extent, their ways remained less altered than other native peoples. In 1878 Nathan Meeker was appointed as the director of the White River Ute Agency (the town of Meeker 40 miles north of Rifle was named after him).

Rifle became more and more settled as the 19th century gave way to the 20th. In 1889, the railroad cut through from the east and ended in Rifle for a while before connecting lines were completed. This opened up the floodgates for new travelers, settlers, and trade. Long drives of cattle over the mountains towards the Front Range and Denver became a thing of the past. Rifle was now a thriving hub for commerce. If it needed to be shipped east to a buyer's market, or shipped west into ranching country, it came through town. The first major economy known to Rifle was ranching. 

Rifle is located in the valley of the Colorado River where Rifle Creek joins from the north. Most of the city is on the north side of the river, but there is some city land to the south. Interstate 70 passes through the city along the south side of the river, with access from Exit 90. I-70 leads east 26 miles (42 km) to Glenwood Springs, the Garfield County seat, and southwest 60 miles (97 km) to Grand Junction. U.S. Route 6 runs along the north side of the Colorado River through Rifle, providing a local parallel route to I-70. Colorado State Highway 13 intersects I-70 and US-6, passing through the southern and western parts of Rifle, then leading north 41 miles (66 km) to Meeker. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Rifle has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.7 km2), of which 5.6 square miles (14.5 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.18%, is water.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Rifle, with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and access to healthcare services. Life Time Fitness is known for its upscale amenities and comprehensive fitness offerings, Life Time Fitness has several locations in Colorado. The YMCA is offering fitness classes, gym equipment, swimming pools, and community programs. Orangetheory Fitness, with studios in various cities across Colorado, Orangetheory Fitness provides high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts in a group setting. Planet Fitness is known for its affordable memberships and judgment-free atmosphere, Planet Fitness has multiple locations in Colorado. CrossFit Gyms, there are numerous CrossFit gyms in Colorado for those interested in high-intensity functional training. Boutique Fitness Studios, Colorado also has a variety of boutique fitness studios specializing in yoga, pilates, cycling, barre, and other fitness disciplines.

Top Sites in Rifle, CO: Ute Theater and Events Center, Rifle Heritage Center, and Rifle Mountain Park. 

Population: 10,551 (2022). Elevation: 5,348′. ZIP code: 81650. Area code: 970. Area: 5.7 square miles (14.7 km2).
 

FAQs

Why is the Rifle, Colorado called a Rifle?

The name ”Rifle Creek” appears in V. F. Hayden’s geological and geographical survey of the Territories in 1876—the same year Colorado gained statehood. A local, and favorite story, of how the town was named has it that a traveler left his rifle leaning against a tree by the creek running through the area and made a map of where to find it at a later date. Today, the Rifle area continues its ranching tradition as well as oil and gas exploration and extraction which began in the early 1900s.

What are the demographics of Rifle, CO?

Rifle, CO is home to a population of 10.4k people, of which 91.9% are citizens. As of 2022, 13.9% of Rifle, CO residents were born outside of the country (1.45k people). In 2022, there were 2.75 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (5.9k people) in Rifle, CO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.15k White (Hispanic) and 1.28k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Is Rifle, CO a good place to live?

Rifle, CO is situated along Interstate 70 at the base of Colorado’s Western Slope region close to the borders of both Utah and Wyoming. The small city has an estimated population of just over 10,000 people and features numerous recreational activities outfitted with nearby parks and natural areas to explore. Small metro area set in the mountains and rivers of the Rocky Mountains. Primary industries include tourism and recreation. Also known as a retirement destination.

Sources

City of Rifle

Wikipedia

NW Colorado Heritage Travel

Data USA

Best Places

Life Time Fitness

YMCA

Orangetheory Fitness

Planet Fitness

CrossFit Gyms

Boutique Fitness Studios,

Ute Theater and Events Center

Rifle Heritage Center

Rifle Mountain Park

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