The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering an opportunity for third party entities across Colorado to apply for funding for improvements to public and private shooting range facilities that allow hunter education classes and public sight-in days.
Funding for the Shooting Range Small Grant Program is generated by federal excise taxes collected on the purchase of hunting equipment. It is managed as a federal grant program to the states ("Section 10—Hunter Education") by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a "User Pays–User Benefits" program. Therefore, this grant program involves local communities and/or businesses in partnership with the CPW and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Approximately five 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-federal cash or in-kind services (donated labor and/or supplies and equipment use).
It is very important that proposed grant activities will 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 the greatest number of users.
The 2011 grant process is now closed, but the 2012 grant information will be available in August 2012. For more information please check our Frequently Asked Questions PDF, or email Chris Flohr or Mark Cousins.
A recent project:
The Shooting Range Small Grant Program recently helped build a few target ranges in Colorado. Equipment provided included new shooting benches, target holders and a parking area.
