

COLORADO RIVER VALLEY
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PARTNERSHIP
Parachute • Battlement Mesa • Rifle • Silt • New Castle • Garfield County
BETTER JOBS CLOSER TO HOME
BUILDING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FROM THE GROUND UP





A NEW VISION OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS...
The Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership (CRVEDP) is a coalition of regional stakeholders dedicated to building community and regional prosperity throughout Western Garfield County.
Working closely with state agencies, municipal and county government, higher learning institutions, and public/private partners — our work is focused on cultivating an affordable and innovative economic landscape ideal for recreation, agriculture, biodiversity, workforce training, affordable housing, quality healthcare, social services, good-paying jobs, entrepreneurial ecosystems, multi-cultural belonging, and sustainable opportunities for upward mobility.
Become the First "Flight & Free-Fall Capital of Colorado"
Phase 1: Leverage Existing Relationships, Infrastructure & Expertise
US Military, Smokejumper & Wildland Firefighter Aviation Pilot Training
Focus 1: US Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue Training + Mountain/High Altitude Military Training
Focus 2: Wildland Firefighter /Smokejumper & Aviation Firefighter Pilot Training (Fixed Wing & Helicopter)
Phase 2: Expand Operations to Outdoor Rec, Tourism & Pilot Training
Recreational Aerial Sport, Tourism & Civilian Pilot Academy
Focus 1: Aerial Sports Tourism: Skydiving + Paramotor + Paragliding, etc. + Flight Tours, Festivals & Demos
Focus 2: Pilot & Aviation Mechanic Training Academy + High Altitude Specialty Licensure & Certifications
Phase 3: Recruit Leading Industry Manufacturers & R&D Innovators
Aviation Industry Light Manufacturing & Renewables R&D
Focus 1: Aviation & Aerial Sports Light Manufacturing + Soft Goods Manufacturing (Safety equipment, etc.)
Focus 2: Electric and Hydrogen Aviation Propulsion + Next-Generation Technologies in Aviation & Aerospace
Proposal #1



Parachute, Colorado (Source: WorldPopulationReview.com)
Average Household Income $51,986
Growth Rate Since 2020 Census 4.32%
Median Rental Costs $854/mo
Median House Value $194,600
Median Age 32.8 Males | 31 Females
Poverty Rate 20.62%
Rifle, Colorado (Source: WorldPopulationReview.com)
Average Household Income $73,113
Growth Rate Since 2020 Census 2.41%
Median Rental Costs $1,040/mo
Median House Value $275,700
Median Age 32.4 Males | 30.5 Females
Poverty Rate 7.55%

New Castle, Colorado (Source: WorldPopulationReview.com)
Average Household Income $103,058
Growth Rate Since 2020 Census 1.63%
Median Rental Costs $1,377/mo
Median House Value $384,800
Median Age 32.2 Males | 31.5 Females
Poverty Rate 4.10%
US Military
High-Altitude ARNG Aviation, Colorado Army National Guard
Colorado Army National Guard, Grand Junction
Aviation Fire Fighting
Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting
National Interagency Fire Center, Great Basin Smokejumpers
Official Municipal Websites
Rural Economic Development
Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC)
Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group, Thrive Rural Framework
Global Market Trends
Air Sports Equipment Market Trends (2022 - 2030)
Ultralight & Lightweight Aircraft Market Trends (2022 - 2028)
Beginner's Guide to "Air Sports"
Manufacturing

Battlement Mesa, Colorado (Source: WorldPopulationReview.com)
Average Household Income $84,583
Growth Rate Since 2020 Census 3.57%
Median Rental Costs $774/mo
Median House Value $207,200
Median Age 32.2 Males | 40.9 Females
Poverty Rate 4.17%

Silt, Colorado (Source: WorldPopulationReview.com)
Average Household Income $70,974
Growth Rate Since 2020 Census 3.45%
Median Rental Costs $1,439/mo
Median House Value $301,900
Median Age 30.8 Males | 31.5 Females
Poverty Rate 7.74%
Garfield County, Colorado Local Weather
Garfield County Economic Update
Colorado Mesa University, Q1 2022
2020 United States Census Bureau
Regional Industry Reports
Strategic Airport Competitive Economic Development
Final Study and Financial Operations Pro-Forma Plan, 2010
Garfield County Economic Overview
Colorado Workforce Center, 2022
Garfield County Comprehensive Plan 2030 | Housing Appendix
Garfield County, 2022
West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition
Serving Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties, 2022
Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Key Industries of Colorado, 2022
K-12 Schools
Post-Secondary Schools
Colorado Northwestern Community College
CMC First Responders & Public Safety
Educational Pathways to Innovative Careers (EPIC)
Regional Transportation Hub
Rifle Garfield County Airport Elevation 5,536'
Eagle County Regional Airport Elevation 6,547'
Alpine Flight Pilot Training, Gypsum | Eagle County
Public Lands
White River National Forest, USFS
Key Partnering Colorado Agencies
Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE)
Hospitals & Health Care
Grand River Health Clinic West, Parachute / Battlement Mesa
Grand River Health, Rifle Hospital District
Valley View Hospital, Glenwood Springs
Aspen Valley Hospital, Aspen
St. Mary's Medical Center, Grand Junction
Grand Junction VA Medical Center, Grand Junction
Mountain Family Health Centers
State Designated Trauma Centers
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Proposal Feedback Survey
Interim CRVEDP Administrative Contact
Evan Zislis
Director of Community Engagement
Aspen Institute
970.366.2532
REGIONAL FEASIBILITY STUDY PARTNERS





©2023 Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership