MARCH 4, 2025|
Photo – Larry Hicks talks about shooting complex to Wyoming lawmakers – Courtesy Wyoming Legislature on Zoom
Wyoming lawmakers removed funding for a proposed state shooting complex from the water construction bill.
On Friday, February 28th, the Wyoming Senate discussed House Bill 117, the Omnibus Water Construction Bill. Carbon and Sweetwater County Senator Larry Hicks introduced an amendment to spend $10 million on a large-scale shooting complex outside of Cody.
Senator Hicks said that in 2023, both the Wyoming Senate and House of Representatives allocated money for the development and construction of the shooting complex. The Senator said his amendment would allow the facility, which will economically benefit the entire state, to continue development as the legislature originally intended.
In March of 2023, the Wyoming state legislature passed a bill to create a state shooting range. Known as Senate File 169, the bill created a 12-member task force to select a location for the shooting complex.
Once completed, the facility is expected to simulate real-world hunting conditions, requiring shooters to take into account long sight lines, canyons, valleys, and crosswinds. Additionally, the shooting complex will feature a state-of-the-art archery range.
The City of Rawlins originally considered submitting a request to have the facility constructed here in Carbon County. However, Rawlins Shooting Range Advisory Board member James Shearer admitted that the city lacked the funding and infrastructure needed to support such a large project.
Instead, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners signed a letter of support for Natrona County. However, the state selected Park County, specifically Cody, as the site for the new shooting complex.
Speaking to Bigfoot99 at the time, Senator Hicks said despite the fact that Natrona County was the most financially prepared to support the facility, the area’s flat terrain does not match the type of venue he has in mind.
The state Senate’s refusal to pass a supplemental budget has put the shooting complex in jeopardy. At the February 28th, Wyoming Senate meeting, Senator Hicks said by amending the Omnibus Water Construction Bill, he is ensuring that work on the shooting complex can continue.
Senator Ed Cooper agreed that the firearms and hunting facility will benefit the region. Since the money was already set aside, Senator Cooper said he supported the amendment.
Natrona County Senator Charles Scott said he does not support Senator Hicks’s amendment. Senator Scott alluded to the fact that the project could be seen as a way to gain political support from Park County constituents. No matter his personal feelings, the Senator said funding for the shooting complex does not belong in the Omnibus Water Construction Bill.
Laramie County Senator Stephan Pappas spoke out in support of the amendment. Senator Pappas said the money was already set aside for the project in 2023. The amendment will simply allow work on the shooting complex to continue.
Albany County Senator Chris Rothfuss said he has always been and continues to be in favor of the shooting complex. However, Senator Rothfus said funding for the facility should not be included in the Omnibus Water Construction Bill.
After hearing from a handful of other Senators, both in support of and in opposition to the measure, President of the Senate Bo Biteman called for a vote. Senator Hicks’s amendment was narrowly defeated, with a vote of 16 for and 15 against.
