Garfield County Commissioners unanimously advanced three significant projects on Monday aimed at enhancing the Rifle Garfield County Airport. The meeting featured the approval of federal and state grants, alongside critical steps toward inviting private and commercial development at the airport.

Federal and state grants approved to boost infrastructure

During Monday’s meeting, the GarCo commissioners approved the Federal Airport Infrastructure Grant for $590,795 and a State of Colorado Division of Aeronautics Discretionary Aviation Grant for $32,779.

“Today is a red-letter day for Garfield County Airport,” Garfield County Airport Director Brian Condie said, conveying his excitement about the impact these projects will have on the airport’s operations over the next five to ten years. “I’m very pleased to bring these three projects to the county and help the airport move forward.”

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The federal grant is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to enhance aviation infrastructure nationwide. These funds are aimed at addressing critical needs, including runway maintenance, upgrading taxiways and improving safety systems. The state grant, although smaller, complements the federal funds by covering additional projects that are specifically aligned with Colorado’s aviation goals.

Condie noted that these grants come at a crucial time, as the airport is preparing for an increase in traffic and activity. 

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“These concept plans will help to develop future aeronautical or non-aeronautical use at the airport as best determined for highest and best use,” Condie said. “We must make the airport available on an open and free basis… This is the process that follows our grant assurances to make it available to the public for interest.”

The grants will also enable the airport to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which Condie noted are becoming increasingly stringent as aviation technology and safety standards advance. 

Condie also touched on the collaborative efforts involved in securing these grants, mentioning the extensive planning and coordination with various county departments and outside consultants.

“We assembled a team of outside consultants both in house and specialized to start addressing how we’re going to best make the land available to the public,” Condie said.

Request for concept plans to open up development opportunities

Monday’s meeting also focused on the approval of a Request for Concept Plans (RFCP), a move intended to invite proposals for land 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, which will help implement new hangars, aircraft maintenance facilities and potentially non-aeronautical uses that could diversify the airport’s revenue streams.

Condie explained the importance of the RFCP in the broader context of the airport’s development strategy, emphasizing that this initiative is all about determining the highest and best use of the available land. The RFCP opens the door for parcels of land for lease that have not been previously made available to the public.

The process of making this land available has been planned to involve both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met. 

“We’re a federally obligated airport, so we must make the airport available on an open and free basis,” Condie said. “This process has been long in the administrative side of it, but it’s crucial that we do it right.”

One of the key features of the RFCP is the requirement for interested parties to submit a $75,000 deposit with their concept plans. This deposit is intended to ensure that only serious and committed developers participate in the process. 

“We’re requesting a $75,000 deposit to show real interest,” Condie said. “This is a new approach, but it was identified as necessary to protect the county’s interests.”

The decision to include this deposit requirement came after careful consideration and consultation with legal and procurement experts. The goal is to prevent situations where developers express interest in a parcel only to back out later, which Condie said has happened in the past. By requiring a significant financial commitment upfront, the county aims to filter out speculative proposals and focus on projects that are likely to come to fruition.

“We had two entities come before the board in the last two years, have their concept plan approved, and then back out without any consequences,” Condie explained. “This $75,000 deposit per land will be required after the evaluation team makes a recommendation, and once the commissioners accept that, the party is committed.”

The RFCP will cover multiple parcels of land, each with its own potential for development. Interested parties can submit proposals for individual parcels or multiple adjoining 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 score sheet is for each concept plan can be for a single parcel or for multiple parcels,” Condie said. The evaluation process is designed to ensure that the land is used in the most effective way possible, balancing the needs of the airport with those of the broader community.

The commissioners also discussed the composition of the evaluation team, which will play a crucial role in selecting the winning proposals. The team will include airport experts, community representatives, and legal professionals to ensure that all aspects of each proposal are thoroughly vetted.

Comprehensive business and master plan to shape future growth

In addition to the RFCP, the commissioners approved the development of a comprehensive business plan and master plan for the airport, which will guide its future growth and development. These plans are tools for setting strategic priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring that the airport’s 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 is where county administration and the elected officials will have the 30,000-foot view of where they want the airport to go, and the master plan will be the nuts and bolts of how to get there.”

The business plan will focus on the airport’s immediate and short-term needs, providing a detailed roadmap for the next five years. It will include an analysis of current operations, financial performance, and potential revenue streams. One of the key objectives of the business plan is to identify ways to maximize the airport’s non-operational revenue, such as through land leases and other commercial activities.

“I’d like to see the business plan done by a professional,” Condie said, noting that this approach will ensure that the plan is comprehensive and based on the best available data.

The master plan, on the other hand, will take a longer-term view, looking 20 years into the future. It will address major capital projects, land use planning, and the airport’s role in the regional transportation network. The master plan will be closely aligned with the business plan, ensuring that short-term actions are consistent with long-term goals.

“The airport master plan will be the blueprint for how we achieve our strategic objectives,” Condie said. “It will provide the detailed guidance we need to make informed decisions about infrastructure investments, land use, and other critical issues.”

One of the challenges noted in developing these plans is ensuring that they are flexible enough to accommodate changes in the aviation industry and the broader economy. Garfield County commissioners said they recognized this challenge and emphasized 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 10 to 20 years out,” Commissioner Mike Samson said. “I look at what you’re doing today, about five years out, and your budget is part of that and it’s coming together well.”

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 line initially intended for security camera upgrades, which have been postponed to next year.

“We can transfer those funds from our security camera project to cover the additional $69,000 plus for the business plan,” Condie said, noting that this approach will allow the airport to move forward without requiring additional funds.

The commissioners were supportive of this plan, recognizing the importance of having a well-developed business and master plan in place.

 “This is really important to the county, setting the course for decades ahead,” Condie said.

The next steps involve assembling the technical advisory committee (TAC) for the master plan, which will include representatives from the airport, the local community and aviation experts. 

“We’ve reached out to the general community and the airport users group to gather interest for the TAC,” Condie said. “We’re looking for individuals who have the 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. Their recommendations will be crucial in ensuring that the final plan is both practical and aligned with the needs of the community.

“We are glad to see it’s all coming together,” Samson concluded.