County supports Campbell County complex bid

The choice of where to locate the new Wyoming State Shooting Complex has come down to two options, and the Crook County Commissioners are supporting the more local one.

Campbell County has made the shortlist alongside Park County. At a special meeting on Monday, the commission signed a letter of “enthusiastic support” for the multi-million-dollar complex to be built just across the county border.

“We believe that locating this facility in Campbell County would provide significant benefits not only to Northeast Wyoming, but also to shooting sports enthusiasts and communities across the entire state,” says the letter.

Northeast Wyoming, say the commissioners, has a strong outdoor heritage and appreciation for responsible firearm ownership, and “would provide a welcoming and supportive environment” for the project.

The State Legislature passed a bill in 2023 that created an oversight and development task force for the complex, overseen by the governor.

The task force was required to develop a framework to select a location and make recommendations for the development, location and administrative structure.

In the request for proposals, the task force said that the aim is to create a complex that “meets all the requirements for a world-class facility”, which in turn it hopes will increase economic opportunities associated with shooting sports, increase shooting-related opportunities for Wyomingites and provide for outdoor education.

The bill also set aside $10 million to construct the complex once the appropriate decisions have been made.

The list of options was originally much longer, with nine communities vying for the chance to host the complex. Once the site has been chosen, the legislature is expected to authorize and approve the project during its 2025 session, with construction to begin the next summer.

As the choice whittles down to just two, Crook County has now pledged support for its neighbor’s proposal, stating in the letter of support that, “The proposed site offers ample space and suitable terrain, allowing for the development of a world-class shooting complex that can accommodate a variety of disciplines. The proximity to major transportation routes would ensure easy access for participants and visitors from all corners of the state.”

The commissioners have also pointed to the benefits that the shooting complex could bring to Campbell County’s neighbors.

“This region boasts a vibrant community of individuals and families who value shooting sports as a means of recreation, competition and personal development,” they wrote.

“By locating the complex here, we can further cultivate a culture of safe and responsible firearm use while promoting the economic and social benefits associated with shooting sports tourism.”