Shooting Range Small Grant Program

Shooting Range Small Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Amount: US $500 - US $5,000
Last Updated: September 15, 2025

Summary

The Shooting Range Small Grant Program, offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, provides funding for improvements at shooting range facilities in Colorado. Annually, $20,000 is available for projects ranging from $500 to $5,000, aimed at enhancing public access and amenities for hunter education and youth participation in shooting sports. Applicants must match the grant with non-state cash or in-kind services, ensuring projects fulfill community needs and support sustainable shooting practices.

Overview

Shooting Range Small Grant Program Each year Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) offers an opportunity for third party entities across Colorado to apply for funding to make improvements at public and private shooting range facilities that allow hunter education classes, public sight-in days and youth and family involvement in the shooting sports. Funding for the Shooting Range Small Grant Program is generated from the Hunting and Fishing license plate that provides dollars specifically set aside to increase recreational shooting opportunities. By keeping the funding within the state, we hope to allow applicants the most flexibility in grant fund usage. Approximately five to ten projects will be selected annually, with a total of $20,000 available for grants. Each project proposed should have a budget not less than $500 and not more than $5,000. Applicants must match the Shooting Range Small Grant Program award with non-state cash or in-kind services (donated labor and/or supplies and equipment use). It is very important that proposed grant activities produce improvements at shooting ranges that are readily available for public use (some private use is allowed). A project proposal will be ranked primarily in terms of new and/or improved shooting range opportunities for hunter education, hunter sight-in and practice, and youth participation in shooting sports. Recent Projects The Hunter Education Shooting Range Small Grant Program recently funded: An improved parking lot Shooting benches New target stands A shade shelter A new concrete walkway Match: Each application must meet the minimum match requirements to be considered during the review and grant award process. It’s important that the application show how much of the anticipated match is cash and how much is in-kind. While the maximum contribution CPW can contribute to a project is 75 percent of the total project cost, the actual percentage for each project is dependent on how well the project results would meet the grant program goals. Higher ranking will be received in the selection process for projects that provide more than 25 percent of the cost share. Match must be documented at the time a request for reimbursement is made to CPW Hunter Education office. In-kind labor must be documented using the proper form (which is part of the confirmation package) and must be shown to have occurred during the grant period.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Local government agencies, parks, and recreation departments, private shooting ranges that allow use by hunter education classes and allow public sight-in days, shooting associations, or any other shooting facility that is open to the public may apply for a small shooting range grant. These grant funds are not meant for CPW shooting ranges. Please contact the Hunter Education Office if you have questions about eligibility. Applicants may not participate in more than one project annually. Separate chapters or units of statewide organizations are considered as separate applicants. Two or more local agencies may form a partnership to conduct a project. It is important to note, however, that fund management is best facilitated when a county or municipality is the lead agency. State dollars and/or donated labor from a state agency cannot be used for match (please see directions for proper match documentation). Applicants with open grants must demonstrate that the current project is significantly underway before another grant will be considered. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:The Shooting Range Small Grant Program is designed to improve shooting ranges across Colorado. The following are general requirements of all projects: The project will assist Colorado Parks and Wildlife in reaching its Strategic Plan goals of an increase in hunter recreation days and hunter satisfaction. Proposed improvements are substantial in nature.The project will improve access and/or amenities at a shooting range that is available for public use.The public access to the shooting range resource is assured for hunter education classes and use by hunters for sight-in and practice.The project is determined to be a cost-effective investment. The grant funded activities will be maintained for the life of the project for shooting range purposes, which is normally considered to be 15 years, if major construction work is involved.

Ineligibility

Commercial, for-profit ranges are not eligible.Grants will NOT be awarded for: Overhead, program administration, project planning or project researchBBQ pits, community picnic areas, and other non-shooting related amenitiesAny projects that are not available to the general public or offer limited public access Contingency funds or unanticipated overagesPurchase of Trailers, Vehicles or Heavy Equipment