News
ENLARGE
The Garfield County Fairgrounds marquee informs hunters about the information center. The center is hosted by the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce.
Neon orange and camouflage uniforms have descended upon Rifle.
Big game hunting season is here and so are the hunters, which means the annual Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce Hunter's Information Center is up and running.
Thanks to Sponsorship by the Bill Barrett Corporation and the Bank of Colorado, the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce say they were able to relocate their information center to the Garfield County Fairgrounds this year, instead of pitching a canvas tent at the rest stop and chamber office.
Offering free coffee, donuts, chili and a good share hunting stories, the Hunter's Hospitality and Information Center is one-stop shopping for local and out-of-state hunters.
Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Managment (BLM), Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks and Garfield County Search and Rescue Inc. help man the information center and field questions and comments from incoming hunters. The center also boasts local business representatives that sell hunting gear and clothing and hunters can register their ATV at the information center.
Having sold their canvas tent last year, the chamber was in search of another place to welcome regional hunters. Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce President Frank Ladd said moving the information center to the fairgrounds was the most cost effective choice.
“We got a great deal from Garfield County and decided to set up at the fairgrounds,” Ladd said. “This area is kind of the central hub for hunters to go for a number of different directions, we want to welcome them.”
Ladd said the information center has seen well over 100 visitors over three days the center was open in late October.
The center also provides updated information in regard to public access, ATV rules and hunting regulations. This year, the chamber and the White River National Forest also caution hunters to beware of fallen, dried snag trees — a result of bark beetle kill that pose a potential danger for hunters in the backcountry. Kacey Beres, chamber membership services and tourism director, said she recommends hunters carry an extra ax or hatchet this year because of the danger of commonly falling dead beetle bark trees.
In addition to hunting tips and information, the chamber also provides information on taxidermy and game processing for hunters looking to process their game.
Ladd said he hopes the information center fosters downtown and local businesses from the influx of hunters.
“We're all about bringing people into town to use our businesses and our information center is a good way to do that.”
However, while the chamber's center may be busy with hunters exchanging stories over coffee and maps, local businesses are not seeing increased foot traffic outside of lodging and dining. Several local business owners say they aren't seeing the business brought in by hunters that they used to.
Gary Miller, owner of Miller's Dry Goods on Third St. said the economic revenue brought in by hunters is nothing like it used to be.
“If anything, we've seen a decline in revenue,” Miller said. “I think it has to do with young people not hunting anymore, it's a big problem. Years ago, there wasn't a place to park on the street during hunting season.”
Miller said he's seen a consistent base revenue for the past three years and attributes marginal sales and revenue to a decline in young hunters.
“The hunting and tourist season is a declining part of our business, so we've had to adjust to that,” Miller said.
Rifle City Market Manager Keith Cloninger also said Rifle's local grocery store hasn't seen an uptick in revenue.
“We haven't seen an increase in sales this year compared to preceding years,” Cloninger said. “I think it has to do with many factors — the economy, how expensive it is to hunt from out of state, but primarily hunters getting older and not being replaced by younger ones.”
Cloninger said 14 years ago City Market's parking lot used to be filled before the store was open during hunting season.
“It used to be an exciting time, a major event every season,” Cloninger said. “That has changed substantially over the last six or eight years.”
Despite less traffic of some local retailers, Mary Rogers, owner of Mary's Wondrous Things in downtown Rifle said she has seen a slight increase in foot traffic this year.
“There's been a small increase in traffic this year, but more so a long time ago,” Rogers said. “This year, I've seen more pop-ins from women and families that are with hunters.”
Big game hunting season is here and so are the hunters, which means the annual Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce Hunter's Information Center is up and running.
Thanks to Sponsorship by the Bill Barrett Corporation and the Bank of Colorado, the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce say they were able to relocate their information center to the Garfield County Fairgrounds this year, instead of pitching a canvas tent at the rest stop and chamber office.
Offering free coffee, donuts, chili and a good share hunting stories, the Hunter's Hospitality and Information Center is one-stop shopping for local and out-of-state hunters.
Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Managment (BLM), Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks and Garfield County Search and Rescue Inc. help man the information center and field questions and comments from incoming hunters. The center also boasts local business representatives that sell hunting gear and clothing and hunters can register their ATV at the information center.
Having sold their canvas tent last year, the chamber was in search of another place to welcome regional hunters. Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce President Frank Ladd said moving the information center to the fairgrounds was the most cost effective choice.
“We got a great deal from Garfield County and decided to set up at the fairgrounds,” Ladd said. “This area is kind of the central hub for hunters to go for a number of different directions, we want to welcome them.”
Ladd said the information center has seen well over 100 visitors over three days the center was open in late October.
The center also provides updated information in regard to public access, ATV rules and hunting regulations. This year, the chamber and the White River National Forest also caution hunters to beware of fallen, dried snag trees — a result of bark beetle kill that pose a potential danger for hunters in the backcountry. Kacey Beres, chamber membership services and tourism director, said she recommends hunters carry an extra ax or hatchet this year because of the danger of commonly falling dead beetle bark trees.
In addition to hunting tips and information, the chamber also provides information on taxidermy and game processing for hunters looking to process their game.
Ladd said he hopes the information center fosters downtown and local businesses from the influx of hunters.
“We're all about bringing people into town to use our businesses and our information center is a good way to do that.”
However, while the chamber's center may be busy with hunters exchanging stories over coffee and maps, local businesses are not seeing increased foot traffic outside of lodging and dining. Several local business owners say they aren't seeing the business brought in by hunters that they used to.
Gary Miller, owner of Miller's Dry Goods on Third St. said the economic revenue brought in by hunters is nothing like it used to be.
“If anything, we've seen a decline in revenue,” Miller said. “I think it has to do with young people not hunting anymore, it's a big problem. Years ago, there wasn't a place to park on the street during hunting season.”
Miller said he's seen a consistent base revenue for the past three years and attributes marginal sales and revenue to a decline in young hunters.
“The hunting and tourist season is a declining part of our business, so we've had to adjust to that,” Miller said.
Rifle City Market Manager Keith Cloninger also said Rifle's local grocery store hasn't seen an uptick in revenue.
“We haven't seen an increase in sales this year compared to preceding years,” Cloninger said. “I think it has to do with many factors — the economy, how expensive it is to hunt from out of state, but primarily hunters getting older and not being replaced by younger ones.”
Cloninger said 14 years ago City Market's parking lot used to be filled before the store was open during hunting season.
“It used to be an exciting time, a major event every season,” Cloninger said. “That has changed substantially over the last six or eight years.”
Despite less traffic of some local retailers, Mary Rogers, owner of Mary's Wondrous Things in downtown Rifle said she has seen a slight increase in foot traffic this year.
“There's been a small increase in traffic this year, but more so a long time ago,” Rogers said. “This year, I've seen more pop-ins from women and families that are with hunters.”
