County shows interest in shooting complex

State Representative John R. Winter and Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith attended the August 1 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting to discuss Governor Mark Gordon’s Act for creating a task force to determine where a $10 million shooting complex would be located. 

Winter said, “Within the next few years, one lucky Wyoming community could host a $10 million shooting complex that will be the envy of the entire region. At least that’s the hope of a shooting complex task force appointed by Governor Mark Gordon, which met for the first time in Casper. If and when it’s built, the shooting complex could spark huge economic benefits. Gordon told the task force members via Zoom. The complex ‘is a better way to preserve our respect for the Second Amendment, firearms, and marksmanship,’ he said.”

Winter added, “The task force includes members of the Wyoming Legislature, as well as representatives from the Wyoming Office of Tourism, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, the Wyoming Business Council, private businesses, and conservation groups. The group is charged to spend roughly the next two years coming up with solid plans for the shooting complex to present to the legislature. Towns and cities across Wyoming will also get a chance to submit requests for proposals to be the chosen site for the complex.”

Winter quoted Senator Larry Hicks, R-Baggs who co-sponsored the bill and also sits on the task force. Hicks said, “The vision is for the complex to be far more than just another shooting range. Instead, it’s to build a complex that would rival several already in other states across the region. This should be world-class. We do not want to cut ourselves short or sell ourselves short.”

“The facilities could include target ranges for all types of shooting sports, including pistol and long-range rifle shooting, black powder, archery, and shotgun sports such as trap and skeet shooting. It also could include an educational facility for hunter education and wildlife conservation classes,” Hicks said. 

Regarding where the money is coming from, Winter said, “The Legislature agreed to set aside $10 million for the shooting complex. That includes $5 million from the state’s general fund, $2.5 million from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and $2.5 million from the Office of Tourism. That $10 million will sit in a special fund, untouched unless and until plans for the shooting complex and its location come to fruition. And even then, the money can’t be released until the legislature authorizes it.

There is statewide interest in this task force with a large amount of competition involved. Shoshoni Mayor Highsmith said there is a point system that has not been developed and that he wanted to use a regional approach to apply for the location. This possible national shooting complex would be large in design and would need to factor in wind velocity. 

Mayor Highsmith along with Representative Winter wanted to gather Hot Springs County, along with Shoshoni, Riverton, and Lander together as a regional effort to present a central location for the shooting complex. 

Chairman Ryan said this is a “great opportunity” for tourism and job opportunities. Part of the requirements for the location would be access to an airport and utilize lodge opportunities. 

Commissioner Paul Galovich expressed interest in taking on a committee to find a local interest in the possibility of bringing the shooting complex to Hot Springs County.

Commissioner Phil Scheel made the motion to have Commissioner Galovich lead a regional plan for Hot Springs County to pursue the interest of winning the location of the shooting complex. Galovich seconded the motion, and it passed approval by all commissioners.