As part of a nationwide celebration of August as National Shooting Sports Month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizes the important role shooting sports play in funding conservation. Additionally, recreational target shooting is a fun and safe outdoor recreation activity that friends and families can enjoy together. As an educational tool, it teaches the fundamental marksmanship skills required for hunting and provides multiple avenues for families to get involved in hunting, shooting sports and other outdoor recreation activities. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has a long-standing history of supporting and promoting shooting sports and the establishment of shooting ranges.
Shooting Sports Help Fund Wildlife Conservation
In the United States, the economic impact of the sporting arms and ammunition industry totals more than $42 billion and creates more than 263,000 jobs. The Pittman-Robertson excise tax manufacturers pay on the products they sell is a major source of wildlife conservation funding in Colorado and nationwide.
Shooting Ranges
There are a number of great resources available to get you started in shooting sports. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado’s public lands, and local businesses offer convenient and diverse public shooting ranges that are open all year. Visit the Shooting Ranges section of Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for shooting tips, printable targets and a list of more than 100 ranges, including archery ranges, shooting ranges and combined shooting/archery ranges.
Interested in trying sporting clays?
Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (CSEC) has two innovative new sporting clays courses that are now open to the public. Learn more.
Find a Range Near You
Keep it Safe!
Follow the Northern Front Range Recreational Sport Shooting Management Partnership fundamental rules of firearm safety:
- Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
- Always be conscious that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard until your sights are on the target and you are ready to shoot.
- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond – look, listen, and walk a perimeter of at least 150 yards beyond the target to ensure safety.
- Continually check the area for other users.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs while shooting.
More shooting sports safety tips can be found in the Northern Front Range Recreational Sport Shooting Management Partnership Recreational Shooting Sports Guide.
Keep it Clean!
Be a good steward of the land. Share the space, leave no trace. Remember to pick up your spent shells, target remnants, clay pigeons and anything else you brought with you. Be a good steward of the land and pick up trash, even if it’s not your own.
For more information on shooting sports in Colorado, including safe practices and the many important supporting partnerships, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
