Rifle

Rifle is a town in the northwestern part of the state of Colorado, in the United States of America.

Rifle is a home-rule municipality in, and the most populous community of, Garfield County, Colorado, United States. Its 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. Rifle developed as a regional agricultural and commercial centre in the Colorado River valley. The surrounding area combines farmland, mountains, canyons and high desert landscapes. The city is also a convenient base for exploring western Colorado. Outdoor activities in the surrounding area include hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and wildlife viewing.

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). Meeker had no training or knowledge of Ute culture, and launched into a campaign centered on sedentary agriculture and European-American schooling. As this clashed with the culture of the nomadic Utes, he was met with resistance. It all came to a head when Meeker had the pasture and racetrack for the Ute's horses plowed under.

• Rifle Mountain Park. Located just 13 miles North of Rifle, serves as one of America's premiere sport climbing destinations. The climbing season runs from mid-April through late October. Climbers can pay a daily entrance fee of $4 or purchase a yearly pass for $40. Camping is available in designated sites for $7 per night. 
• Rifle Creek Golf Course, 3004 CO-325. Three miles North of Rifle, could easily be one of the most scenic and spectacular 18-hole championship courses in Colorado. This beautiful and pristine course, designed by Richard M. Phelps, uses all of the area's natural beauty. Worth the visit and good value. Back 9 is best. 
• Lakota Links, 1000 Clubhouse Dr, New Castle. Another awesome local course. Hard to say to much about this course, other than it is difficult! 

Grand Junction ← Palisade ←	W  E	→ Glenwood Springs → Denver
Grand Junction ← Palisade ←	W  E	→ Glenwood Springs → Denver
Rawlins ← Craig ←	N  S	→ END