Rifle, CO

united states

Rifle sits along Interstate 70 in western Colorado's high desert, serving as a natural stop between Denver ski country and Utah's red rock region. Most traffic comes via I-70 from Denver (160 miles) or Grand Junction (65 miles), with Highway 13 heading north toward Wyoming. The Colorado River valley location at 5,300 feet brings hot summers and snowy winters. The town got its name from Rifle Gap, a narrow canyon formation that early settlers thought looked like a gun barrel.