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Small game targets at a shooting range with many holes in the back of the target board.

Small game targets at a shooting range with many holes in the back of the target board.

About The Grants

Shooting Range Development Grants

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Shooting Ra​nge Development Grant Program ​​(SRDG) provides up to $600,000 annually in matching grants to towns, counties, sportspeople and outdoor recreation organizations, shooting clubs, economic development agencies and others for projects to establish, improve or expand shooting ranges, including archery, across the state. 

Grants will be for a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum to be determined by the review and approval process. Funding  can come from a variety of sources, including Hunter Education and Wildlife Restoration Program funds from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife funds from license revenues. 

Currently Processing: This grant application was open from January to March 15, 2024.

$600k

Awarded Annually

50 +

Projects Throughout Colorado

$5k

Minimum Awarded

$909k

Awarded in 2022

8

Range Projects in 2022

Mentored target practice at the Colorado Clays range.

Mentored target practice at the Colorado Clays range.

Shooting Range Grants

Project Preference

CPW is interested in partnering with a wide array of entities in developing or improving recreational shooting opportunities in the state.  Applicants have included county and local governments, existing shooting ranges, recreational shooting organizations, police departments, educational groups, park and recreation departments, archery clubs, landowners, school districts, and others. 

New and improved shooting range elements eligible for funding include:

  • berms
  • sound baffles
  • shooting benches and covers
  • trap and skeet houses
  • walkways
  • signage
  • fencing
  • other capital items necessary to the operation of a shooting range

Grant Cycle 2024-2025

How to Apply

Project Requirements

  • The shooting range must provide substantial public benefits, e.g. public access to the range.
  • Project applicants must provide non-federal matching funds, donated materials or volunteer labor to cover at least 25 percent of the project costs. Match in excess of the 25 percent minimum will likely help a project be more competitive in the grant review and ranking process.
  • Projects will be expected to finish within two years of the grant award year.
  • Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. No up-front funding is provided.
  • Established guidelines for the construction of shooting ranges must be followed.
  • Applicants must provide evidence that the range is or will be approved by the appropriate local government or land-owning agency.
  • An Environmental Stewardship Plan must be developed before final funding is awarded.

Contact Us First

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, or the grant program coordinator Travis Long ([email protected]​) as soon as possible to discuss your project.​

Application Documents

Having trouble downloading Excel or Word files? Right-click on the link, chose 'Save link as' and download to your desktop or​ designated ​folder.

An archer takes aim at a paper target.

Review Panel

Grant Application Review Process

Projects are reviewed by local CPW District and Area Wildlife Managers. Feedback and suggested improvements to the project may be provided at that time, if earlier pre-application discussions have not taken place. Each of the four CPW regions ranks projects in their region and provide the rankings and any comments on projects to the SRDG program coordinator. Copies of the applications are also forwarded to members of the SRDG review panel.

Proposals are assessed by the "project requirements" outlined above, as well as the amount of public access including: youth education and Hunter Education program access, range fees for public access, partner support, local match, population served, lack of alternative ranges, and degree of expansion of recreational shooting opportunities.

The SRDG review panel is comprised of representatives from outside groups with a strong interest in recreational shooting and hunting, along with CPW and US Fish and Wildlife Service representatives. 

Learn more about the review process

Grant Deadlines

Application Opens

January, 2024

Applications Due

Applications are due to the program coordinator.

March 15, 2024

5:00 p.m. MT.

Applications Reviewed

Applications are reviewed by regional CPW personnel, which may include discussions with applicant and suggested improvements to project proposal.

March 15, 2024 to April 15, 2024

Presentation Time Slot Notification

Applicants are notified of their time slot on the schedule for their presentation to the review panel.

Early April, 2024

Review Panel Recommendations

Review panel meets at CPW headquarters in Denver and creates a list of funding recommendations for the CPW Director.

April 29, 2024

Successful Applicants Notified

The CPW Director's funding decision is sent out with letters to successful applicants with conditional project approval.

May, 2024

Approved Projects Finalized

The final project design and financing is secured, and the scope of work is defined. Purchase orders or state contracts are put in place. If federal funds are used, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will review the project, and any National Environmental Policy Act compliance issues and external compliance issues must be completed.

June 2024 to March 2025

Contact

Please email any questions about shooting range development grants to:

Grant Program Coordinator
Travis Long
[email protected]

Shooting Range Grants

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers additional shooting range grants to apply for.