Clear Creek Shooting Park Projects

Since 2013, Clear Creek County has worked with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest (ARNF), Boulder, Gilpin, and Larimer Counties, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (collectively the Northern Front Range Sport Shooting Management Partnership) to develop management strategies for recreational sport shooting on the ARNF.  Recreational sport shooting (RSS) is a longstanding and legitimate use of Forest lands, however, increased recreation is making many areas unsuitable.  

In recent years Colorado’s population has been increasing annually by more than 100,000 with 80% of this growth occurring along the Front Range.  As population has increased, so have the number of people who live near and use the National Forest. The mixing of RSS activities on Forest lands in close proximity to residences and other high use public areas is causing safety concerns. Tragically, people have been struck by stray bullets and seriously injured on the ARNF.

A Recreational Sport Shooting Management Environmental Assessment (EA) was conducted by the ARNF as a part of the Front Range Partnership effort and the decision will amend the Forest Plan to address dispersed recreational sport shooting. Based on that EA, Clear Creek County is party to an agreement that commits us to, in exchange for closing identified areas of concern in the ARNF north of Interstate 70, providing 15 public shooting lanes (or 25 in combination with Gilpin County). The Forest Service will also be providing public shooting lanes on their land at Devil’s Nose that, once open, will close dispersed shooting in identified areas of concern in the Forest south of Interstate 70.

Clear Creek County spent several years evaluating multiple sites for feasibility for a new public range.  The proposed location at Dumont was determined to be the best area because it is County owned land, there is an existing range, and the access, topography and utilities are favorable. Through a grant from CPW in 2019, the County has hired the consulting firm CVA and Associates to complete a Conceptual Plan, including a Business/Operational Master Plan, for a new public shooting sports park.  Drafts of documents associated with this project and process are available below. 

In May 2021, CPW awarded the County an $860,000 Shooting Range Development Grant. The grant and $550,000 match will provide funding for approximately 50% of the estimated total cost ($2.8 million) of the project and will include: (1) lead mitigation and remediation of the existing site, (2) preparation of final design plans and technical documents needed for permits and construction, (3) installation of the necessary service infrastructure (e.g. water, sewer, storm drainage improvements), (4) sitework required for the new range reconfiguration, and (5) construction of the clubhouse; including restrooms, classroom, office, and retail space. When completed, the range will offer 45 public shooting lanes and 2 action bays.

Updates

  • 11.2.23  Clear Creek County and Gilpin County are both pleased to announce a big step forward in the Sport Shooting Park Project as Himmelman Construction broke ground on the new public shooting range in early October.  In addition, Metals Treatment Technologies (MT2) has completed lead remediation and mitigation on the Clear Creek County owned site, which was formerly leased by a private gun club.  Clear Creek County is still seeking a concessionaire to run/operate the Sport Shooting park, interested parties should reach out to Lisa Leben at 303.679.2434.
  • 8.28.23 The Clear Creek County Sport Shooting Park project made great progress this month with two important steps.  The first was the August 15th BoCC approval of the Contract with Himmelman Construction, LLC for $1,408,379.  They will break ground in September and are expected to complete the project by June 2024.  The new County Capital Projects Manager, Stacey Canada, will oversee the construction project along with the consulting engineers, EV Studio.  The operations building will contain a classroom, restrooms, small retail area and an office.   The County is still seeking a concessionaire to run/operate the Sport Shooting park, interested parties should reach out to Lisa Leben at 303.679.2434.
  • 1.9.23 The Clear Creek Sportsmen Club’s Shooting Range is officially closed as of January 2023. The Club’s lease on the land owned by Clear Creek County expired on December 31, 2022.  The County will now be starting construction on a new public facility at the site in Dumont, following lead remediation and site work.  In May 2021, Colorado Parks and Wildlife awarded the County an $860,000 Shooting Range Development Grant. The grant and $550,000 match ($400,000 from Gilpin County and $150,000 from CCC) will provide funding for the new facility. The project is scheduled to break ground in spring of this year. When completed, the range will offer 45 public shooting lanes, two action bays, shooting sheds and an operations building with restrooms.
  • 9.8.22- The Clear Creek Shooting Range Project made significant progress on September 6, 2022! Three important steps were completed which started Phase II of the Project.
    The first step was the approval by the Clear Creek Board of County Commissioners of an $860,000 grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Phase II will involve completing the design and engineering work, lead mitigation and removal, site work, and renovations to the range. Range improvements will include 45 public shooting lanes, 2 action bays, and a new clubhouse with restrooms, a classroom, office space and a small retail area. The Clear Creek BOCC also approved a contract with EV Studio to provide the final design and engineering for the new facility. The scope of work includes review, analysis, consultation, and all architectural, civil and structural engineering required for state and local permitting. The third success was the approval by the Gilpin Board of County Commissioners of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Clear Creek County. This document outlines the terms for transferring their committed match of $400,000 to the Project as part of the CPW Grant application. The IGA is scheduled on the Clear Creek BOCC’s agenda for consideration on October 4, 2022. This multi-jurisdictional approach to the Project will accomplish the closure of unsafe shooting areas identified on US Forest Service lands in Clear Creek and Gilpin County. Clear Creek and Gilpin will be applying for a Colorado Parks and Wildlife construction grant in February 2023 to complete the Project. The new public shooting range is expected to be open to the public in mid-2024.
  • 6.3.21 - In May 2021, CPW awarded the County an $860,000 Shooting Range Development Grant. The grant and $550,000 match will provide funding for approximately 50% of the estimated total cost ($2.8 million) of the project and will include: (1) lead mitigation and remediation of the existing site, (2) preparation of final design plans and technical documents needed for permits and construction, (3) installation of the necessary service infrastructure (e.g. water, sewer, storm drainage improvements), (4) sitework required for the new range reconfiguration, and (5) construction of the clubhouse; including restrooms, classroom, office, and retail space. When completed, the range will offer 45 public shooting lanes and 2 action bays.
  • 11.7.19 - County hires CVA to develop Range Design and Business Plan at former rodeo grounds
  • 9.18.19 - County’s Acoustic Testing Project in Dumont (see pg 2 of Oct-Dec 2019 Chatter)
  • 6.13.19 - Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Releases Final Decision for Recreational Sport Shooting
  • 6.11.19 - Colorado Parks & Wildlife award Planning Grant funding to Clear Creek County
  • 10.3.18 - Devil’s Nose Shooting Range is closed for safety to allow construction
  • 9.20.18 - Forest Service releases draft decision
  • 11.1.17 - Sport Shooting Open Houses scheduled
  • 11.1.17 - Alternative Maps as part of Forest Service Recreational Sport Shooting Project now online

Final Plans & Documents:

Business Plan

Schematic Design

Standard Operating Procedures & Maintenance