safety
Rifle hires former police chief to return to department
By Katherine Tomanek Follow
ktomanek@postindependent.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent
· June 22, 2026
· 3 min read
Thomas Klein Jr. was confirmed Wednesday evening during Rifle City Council’s meeting as the city’s next chief of police.
Klein will return to the role he previously held from 2017 to 2021, bringing more than 30 years of law enforcement and municipal leadership experience back to Rifle.
Th...
Key takeaway Klein, a Raleigh, North Carolina native, most recently served with the Airport Division of the Orlando Police Department after moving to Florida in 2024 after serving Rifle as city manager.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The return of Thomas Klein Jr. as Rifle's police chief brings a depth of experience and familiarity to the role, which will be valuable in addressing the unique safety challenges of the region. As a seasoned law enforcement leader with over 30 years of experience, Klein's background in community-oriented policing and collaborative problem-solving will be essential in building trust with the community. His previous tenure as police chief in Rifle and subsequent role as city manager have given him a broad understanding of the intricacies of municipal operations, which will serve him well in navigating the complexities of public safety in a small town. Klein's decision to return to Rifle also speaks to the appeal of the area, with its strong sense of community, and his personal connection to the town will likely foster a strong partnership between the police department and residents.
About this story
Original reporting by Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Thomas Klein Jr. was confirmed Wednesday evening during Rifle City Council’s meeting as the city’s next chief of police.
Klein will return to the role he previously held from 2017 to 2021, bringing more than 30 years of law enforcement and municipal leadership experience back to Rifle.
Th...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by Glenwood Springs Post Independent and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katherine Tomanek Follow
ktomanek@postindependent.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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