The demand for safe, appropriately sited public shooting ranges led Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help establish the Southern Shooting Partnership. It is a group of federal, state and county agencies and public utilities that works to develop safe, recreational sport shooting facilities throughout the region.

The proposed range resulted, in part, from a listening tour launched to gather public input.

The state facilitates a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, climbing and more. It cannot simply ignore the demands of thousands of area residents who want and need to hone their target-shooting skills in the great outdoors.

This is not some half-baked proposal by a special interest group. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a long history of maintaining, protecting and enhancing the outdoor amenities that make Colorado the country’s favorite playground. It has earned Colorado’s trust, and we trust it to get this project right.

The county planning commission should vet the proposal, seek assurance of adequate maintenance and oversight, and give the green light. Recreational shooters need more ranges, and this is an excellent plan.