State shooting complex passes big hurdle

POWELL (WNE) — The proposed Wyoming State Shooting Complex passed a big hurdle in the House last week, thanks in part to support from all of Park County’s legislators.

On Friday, the House and Senate approved versions of the supplemental budget, both of which included funds for the new complex, making it more likely than ever to come to fruition.

The first hurdle was to get the now $13.5 million in state funding for the complex included in the supplemental budget bill drafted by the Joint Appropriations Committee.

Then, late Wednesday night, an amendment to remove the funding from the supplemental budget was defeated in the House, with 25 representatives voting to remove the dollars and 32 opposed.

Those in opposition to the removal of the funding included Reps. Paul Hoeft (R-Powell), Dalton Banks (R-Cowley), Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody), Nina Webber (R-Cody) and John Winter (R-Thermopolis).

They also helped turn back an attempt to place a restriction on how much funding the state will provide for maintenance and a limit on how many years it would do so before the complex is able to be self-sustaining.

“When you start something like this, it takes a little time to get it off the ground,” said Hoeft, adding that from his experience on similar projects, “It’s the third year that starts building up a big head of steam.”

Webber, speaking in support of the complex, said it would be a boost not just the current crop of shooters and other Second Amendment enthusiasts, but to future generations of Wyomingites as well.

“We want our kids to put down their phones and compete in lifelong hunting and fishing pursuits,” she said.

This story was published on February 11, 2025.