Written by Ryan Hoffman | The Citizen Telegram

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Gov. John Hickenlooper Cuts Ribbon for Center of Excellence
TGov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday cuts the ceremonial ribbon for the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting at Rifle-Garfield County Regional Airport. | Photo Credit: Colleen O’Neil/Post Independent

Rifle was back in the spotlight Wednesday with Gov. John Hickenlooper on hand to celebrate the establishment of the new Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting at Rifle-Garfield County Regional Airport, and sign a bill increasing local input in the management of federal land.

Speaking in front of several hundred people, Hickenlooper commended local leaders for their efforts in bringing the center to Rifle. The state in March selected Rifle-Garfield County Regional Airport as home for the center over several larger airports on the Front Range.

It was the team in Garfield County that created the vision for what the center could be, the governor said. When it came time to make a decision, the cooperation and support at the local level combined with the airport’s proximity to wildfire-prone areas in western Colorado made Rifle the most attractive option… To read the full story click here.