Commissioners approve new taxiway to mitigate airport congestion – Garfield County, Colorado
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The main sign out front of the Rifle Garfield County Airport near Rifle, CO.

Commissioners approve new taxiway to mitigate airport congestion

Garfield County applies for federal parking apron reconstruction project grant

PRESS RELEASE
January 23, 2026

A professional services agreement for a new taxiway design has been approved at the Rifle Garfield County Airport to help mitigate congestion and enhance safety and airfield efficiency. The taxiway B project, located south of the existing taxiway A, addresses an existing bottleneck on the west side of the airfield that limits traffic flow during busy periods at the airport.

The project aims to construct a bypass south of taxiway A and west of taxiway B4, with activity anticipated to increase as new development takes place on the west side of the airfield.

The county conducted a robust request for proposals process and selected Woolpert, Inc. to oversee design and bidding services for the project. The architecture and engineering design firm is under a five-year professional services agreement with the county for airport engineering services.

Design and bidding services are contracted at just under $380,000, and construction, which is anticipated to begin in summer 2026, is estimated at roughly $4 million.

“This is going to be an additional taxiway that alleviates a serious congestion issue,” Garfield County Airport Director Sam Carver told the Board of County Commissioners. “This project is not eligible for any state or federal funds, so this will come out of our airport reserves. This is, in my experience, a reasonable estimate for the design. As a standard, you typically want to see it under 10 percent of the total cost.”

He added that the airport reserve fund is approximately $6 million.

The contract was approved unanimously, 3-0.

County applies for FAA parking apron reconstruction project grant

Garfield County has also submitted a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a main aircraft parking apron reconstruction project. The proposed project would see between 60,000 and 65,0000 square yards of apron pavement created for aircraft parking and fuel and hangar access.

The application cites the total project cost at $6,481,269 million, with anticipated federal funding covering $6,157,205 and the state and county pitching in $162,000 apiece.

The existing apron pavement has reached end of life and needs to be replaced to improve safety and efficiency. The apron replacement project is included in the approved Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP).

“This is the first step in securing these funds,” Carver told the board. “If approved by the FAA, construction could begin this summer.”

The board approved the grant application unanimously, 3-0.

“Let’s get it done before 2027,” added Commissioner Tom Jankovsky in his support.

Over the past five years, the Rifle Garfield County Airport, located in Rifle, Colorado, has seen significant growth and continues to provide a strong economic impact for the region. During this time, the airport employed between 277 and 391 full-time workers at a payroll of $16 to $25 million and has brought in $42 million in business revenues.