Rifle Garfield
County Airport
The closest Aspen alternate and the least restricted field in western Colorado. No curfew, no slots, no PPR, an ILS to runway 26, and the most stable weather in the region.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 1 September 2026
The Airport
Rifle Garfield County at a glance
Rifle Garfield County Airport carries the ICAO code KRIL and the IATA code RIL. It sits three miles east of Rifle, on the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction, and is owned and operated by Garfield County.
It is the quiet one of the Colorado fields, and that is the point. Most of what makes Aspen difficult simply does not apply here.
History
From crop dusting strip to county airport
The airport began in 1925 as a single dirt and gravel landing strip east of Rifle, used mainly for crop dusting across the surrounding farmland. The FAA records a formal activation date of July 1940.
The city of Rifle ran it until 1960, when Garfield County took over. County commissioners appointed the first airport authority members in 1967, and the first fixed base operator manager was hired in 1973. In the early 1970s the land for the present airport was donated from the William and Hannah Crann Ranch, given specifically for use as an airport.
The current runway 08/26 was completed in 1981, at which point the original strip was decommissioned. That single project is what turned an agricultural airfield into something that could take business jets, and it is why Rifle now absorbs traffic that cannot get into Aspen.
Why Rifle
The Aspen alternate that actually works
Rifle is where Aspen traffic goes, and it is worth understanding why rather than treating it as a fallback.
It is the closest. 77 miles from Aspen, around ninety minutes by road. Montrose is 133 miles and Grand Junction 128. On a diverted arrival with passengers aboard, that difference is the whole experience.
It has no curfew. Aspen closes to all operations between 2300 and 0700. Rifle has no night-time noise restrictions at all. A late arrival that Aspen would simply refuse can land here.
It has an ILS. Runway 26 has a full ILS with precision markings, plus RNAV GPS and RNP procedures to both ends. Aspen, Montrose and Centennial are all non-precision. When weather closes the valleys, that approach is what keeps Rifle usable.
The weather is steadier. Sitting lower and out of the tightest valley terrain, Rifle sees fewer of the rapid changes that force holding further up the valley. Crews repositioning out of Aspen frequently base here overnight rather than flying an empty leg back.
Operating
What it means in practice
No slots, no PPR, no curfew, no wingspan limit. Handling is not mandatory. Jet A and AVGAS are both on the field. Rifle is the least restricted airport in the Colorado cluster by a clear margin.
It is non-towered. Operations run on CTAF, with Denver Center providing ARTCC coverage. The airport is attended continuously, but separation in the circuit is pilot responsibility. During ski-season peaks the pattern gets busy with diverted traffic, and crews used to towered fields should brief that properly rather than assume it will be managed for them.
The approach to runway 26 carries a 3.5 degree glide path, steeper than the standard 3.0, which belongs in the brief. There is one published obstruction: a 6 foot tower 331 feet from the runway and 307 feet left of centreline on a 21:1 slope. Minor, but it is on the FAA record.
Rifle is not FAR Part 139 certificated, having no scheduled service. That is normal for a field of this size and does not restrict private operations, but there is no published ARFF index.
Nearby
Rifle and the Colorado fields
Four fields, four different jobs. Rifle is the flexible one.
Aspen is the shortest ground leg when the aircraft and the day allow it. Montrose and Grand Junction take the larger aircraft. Centennial serves Denver and runs 24 hours. Rifle is the one with the fewest reasons to say no.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Rifle, answered
Can private jets land at Rifle Garfield County?
Yes. Runway 08/26 is 7,000 feet by 100 feet of grooved asphalt at 5,537 feet elevation. There are no slots, no PPR and no wingspan restriction. It handles the mid-size and super mid-size aircraft that make up most Colorado charter traffic comfortably.
Why does Aspen traffic divert to Rifle?
Three reasons. It is the closest of the Aspen alternates at 77 miles, about ninety minutes by road. It has the most stable weather in the region, sitting lower and out of the tightest valley terrain. And it has an ILS, so it stays usable in conditions that close the non-precision fields.
Does Rifle have a night curfew?
No. There are no night-time aircraft noise restrictions at Rifle. That is the single biggest operational difference from Aspen, where nothing moves between 2300 and 0700. A late arrival that would be turned away from Aspen can land here.
Does Rifle have an instrument approach?
Yes, an ILS to runway 26, along with RNAV GPS and RNAV RNP procedures to both ends. Runway 26 carries precision markings and a 3.5 degree glide path, which is steeper than the standard 3.0 and worth briefing. Runway 08 has ODALS approach lighting and both ends have four-light PAPI.
Is Rifle a towered airport?
No. Rifle is non-towered and operations are conducted on CTAF. The airport is attended continuously and Denver Center provides ARTCC coverage, but separation in the pattern is pilot responsibility. Crews used to towered fields should brief this properly, particularly during peak ski-season traffic.
Is Rifle FAR Part 139 certificated?
No. Rifle carries no Part 139 certification because it has no scheduled commercial service. That is normal for a field of this size and is not a restriction on private operations, but it does mean there is no published ARFF index.
What is the elevation at Rifle?
5,537 feet at the airport reference point. The runway 08 threshold sits lower at 5,470 feet. It is roughly 2,300 feet below Aspen, which is a meaningful performance advantage on a warm afternoon.
Is ground handling mandatory at Rifle?
No. Handling is not mandatory. The field is well regarded for overnight parking, which is why crews repositioning out of Aspen often base here rather than flying an empty leg back.
What fuel is available at Rifle?
Jet A and AVGAS 100LL are both available on the field.
Do you need slots or prior permission at Rifle?
No slots, no PPR, and no curfew. Rifle is the least restricted of the Colorado fields serving the resorts, which is precisely why it absorbs the traffic the others turn away.
When was Rifle Garfield County Airport built?
It began in 1925 as a single dirt and gravel landing strip east of Rifle, used mainly for crop dusting. The FAA records an activation date of July 1940. The city of Rifle managed it until 1960, when Garfield County took over, and the first airport authority members were appointed in 1967 with the first FBO manager hired in 1973. In the early 1970s land for the present airport was donated from the William and Hannah Crann Ranch specifically for airport use, and in 1981 the original runway was decommissioned once the current runway 08/26 was complete.
Rifle or Montrose as an Aspen alternate?
Rifle is closer, at 77 miles against 133, and has no curfew. Montrose has more runway at 10,000 feet and takes larger aircraft. For a mid-size aircraft needing a short transfer or a late arrival, Rifle. For a large cabin aircraft, Montrose or Grand Junction.
Are there obstructions to brief at Rifle?
One published: a 6 foot tower 331 feet from the runway and 307 feet left of centreline, on a 21:1 slope. Minor, but it appears on the FAA record and belongs in the brief.
What time zone is Rifle in?
Mountain Time, MST in winter and MDT in summer, which is UTC-7 and UTC-6 respectively. Colorado observes daylight saving, so the offset changes in March and November.
Get Your Number
Request a Rifle charter
Send the aircraft, the route and the date. If Aspen is the intended destination we will tell you honestly whether it clears the wingspan limit and the curfew, and file Rifle when it does not.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.