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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

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Image by Rishabh Pandoh
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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 

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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

Garfield County Profile

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                 

Garfield RE-2

Garfield District 16

 

Post-Secondary Schools

Colorado Mountain College

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'

BNSF Rail

Amtrak

Greyhound

Alpine Flight Pilot Training, Gypsum | Eagle County

Public Lands

Bureau of Land Management

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

Mountain Family Health Centers

Aspen Hope Center

Mind Springs Health

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Image by Chris Lawton
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Proposal Feedback Survey

Interim CRVEDP Administrative Contact

Evan Zislis

Director of Community Engagement

Aspen Institute

970.366.2532

Evan.Zislis@AspenInstitute.org

REGIONAL FEASIBILITY STUDY PARTNERS

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©2023 Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership

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