New fuel farm approved at Rifle Garfield County Airport
Vantage Aviation concept plan approved for parcel A7 as part of larger development
PRESS RELEASE
January 8, 2025
Garfield County has continued its commitment to improvements at the Rifle Garfield County Airport, approving a development plan for new infrastructure at the airfield. Vantage Aviation is adding a new fuel farm at the airport’s west end that features three 20,000-gallon jet fuel tanks and a 2,000-gallon split tank for fueling vehicles and equipment.
The development plan, which includes a 12,000-gallon tank providing low lead fuel (100LL), is projected to cost Vantage $1.2 million. Vantage has also pledged to replace two aging storage structures at the site of the proposed fuel farm with a modern 80’ by 100’ pole barn, estimated to cost $125,000.
Garfield County Airport Director Sam Carver told the Board of County Commissioners that the new fuel farm is projected at roughly 5,075 square feet.
“This would be a benefit to the airport,” he said. “Anytime we have a party that wants to invest in this kind of infrastructure and capital into our airport it’s a good thing. They meet all the minimum standards for this project.”
He added that a rent-credit agreement has been proposed to help Vantage recoup the cost of the pole barn, less any costs associated with removing the aging structures.
“They originally agreed to relocate the existing sheds, but we felt that it would be in the best interests of the airport to build a pole barn facility to handle our future growth,” Carver said. “So, it’s really a project that solely benefits the airport.”
Since Vantage is constructing the fuel farm, it will not pay the county a fuel storage fee, but the county will collect fuel flowage fees on what is pumped, approximately $0.19 per gallon. Ryan Maxfield, CEO of Vantage Aviation, said the project will essentially double the fueling capacity at the airport.
“It helps future-proof the airport and ultimately, you guys own that fuel farm, and we just lease the land and when that expires, it goes back to you,” he told the board. “I believe that no matter how much fuel you have on the airfield, it doesn’t necessarily change the competitive nature of the airport. What it does do is allow higher capacity and storage so that during times when we cannot get transport trucks out to the airport to deliver fuel, we have more time that we can still provide fuel to the customers … it benefits the airport in multiple ways.”
The concept plan was approved unanimously, 3-0.
A7 concept plan approved
The board also approved a Vantage concept plan for development of an aircraft storage hangar on parcel A7 on the east side of the airport. The proposed structure is a pre-engineered metal building, approximately 35’ to 40’ in height, estimated at $11 million.
“We only received one proposal, but we went through the full process and the committee scored Vantage’s proposal for lot A7 and came back with a recommendation that we accept,” Carver told the board. “This aligns with the larger project that they’re working on with their other parcels at the airport.”
Vantage is also developing parcels A2 (24,675-square-foot private hangar), and A5 and A6 (16,800 sq. ft. hangar) at the airport and is looking at additional parking for its clients.
Maxfield noted that there’s a lot of demand projected in the coming years and vantage is prepared for the increase in customers.
“From the beginning, we’ve been very excited about this project,” Maxfield said. “For many, many reasons, we believe this is the best airport in the three-county area and we want to continue to develop and grow the airport. We’re excited to invest in this.”
The concept plan was approved unanimously, 3-0.
“When I first was elected 16 years ago, one of my major goals was to improve the airport,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “I think we’ve done a great job, and we will continue to do a great job … we support growth at the airport, and we want it to expand.”