Summit County Public Shooting Range
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the more common questions asked and answered about
the range.
Q. Do I need to contact somebody before visiting
the range?
No. The range is user-operated. There are no dedicated
range personnel to guide range operations. The first person at the range
each day is the Range Officer, and delegates this duty to another when
leaving the range.
Volunteer NRA-Certified Range Safety Officers
(RSO) may be on duty at the range. Their duty schedule is posted
here. They are on duty to help you have a fun and safe day shooting
at the range. Please listen to their instructions and feel free to ask
them any questions you may have.
Q. Is this range safe?
The range is only as safe as the knowledge, skill,
and attitude of the range users permits. If you feel a range user is
being unsafe, you can either 1) Notify the RSO if one is on duty, 2)
kindly ask the unsafe range user to obey the posted rules, or 3) leave
the range.
If a range user's behavior remains unsafe despite
your request to follow the posted rules, please contact the Summit County
Sheriff's Office at 970-668-8600.
Q. Who is that annoying person
wearing the funny yellow vest and hat?
That is a volunteer, trained and certified NRA
Range Safety Officer (RSO). Their directions and commands have the force
of law on the range. Please understand they are there for your safety
and the safety of fellow shooters and spectators. They will help open/close
the range for target changes when the range is busy, and will monitor
shooters to ensure they are following the posted
range rules. If they ask you to keep your muzzle pointed down-range,
please understand they are just trying to help keep the range safe!
If you would like to provide feedback on your
experience with an RSO on duty, you can
and you will receive a response.
If you have any questions at all about the range,
feel free to ask the RSO. They might also be able to help if you have
forgotten something in your range bag or have a pesky stoppage/jam that
you need help safely clearing.
If you want to know when an RSO will be on duty,
check the RSO Calendar for updates.
Q. Is the range open year round?
Yes. However, it may be somewhat difficult to
access following a heavy snow. There are also periodic closures taking
place due to construction. Please refer to the
Range Updates page or the
Range Calendar for more information.
The range hours are:
- April 1st to October 31st: 7:00 AM till 8:00 PM
- November 1st to March 31st: 7:00 AM till 5:00 PM
Q. I have some mobility issues.
Is the range ADA accessible?
The range is moving in that direction. When you
arrive at the range, the first green gate you see will be on a very
steep grade. However, if you continue to the end of the road (on the
east end of the range), there is a new gate and entrance which is much
less steep.
If you need to bring a handicapped licensed or
placarded vehicle up to the shooting positions, please
and arrangements will be made to ensure there is someone there to unlock and
open the vehicle gate for you when you arrive. This will allow you to
unload and setup right next to the shooting benches.
Please keep in mind that this is an outdoor shooting
range in a high alpine environment. Ice, deep snow, mud, rocks, uneven
surfaces and other challenging conditions may be present on and around
the range. However, the Summit Range Association and the county are
committed to help ensure everyone has access to this facility.
Q. I'm confused! What guns can I shoot on what
range?
The 50 yard range is restricted to handguns (any
caliber), black powder guns (pistol or rifle). Rimfire rifles are also
allowed on the 50 yard range.
Centerfire rifles must use the 100 yard
range. All other firearms are also allowed on the 100 yard range except
shotguns. EXCEPTION: Shotguns shooting slugs must use the 100
yard range.
No firearms except shotguns with shot shells
are allowed on the shotgun range. The berms are not designed
to contain bullets.
Currently, defensive shotgun practice must use
the patterning board on the shotgun range. Please bring your own target
frames and backers as they do not last long!
Q. What is the maximum caliber rifle I can shoot
at this range?
Although there is no current legal limit, the
Chief Range Safety Officer asks that you do not use 50 caliber and
larger centerfire rifles at this range. This is due to the number
of rocks located near the 100 yard range backstop. Until an improved
backstop can be put in place, please use caution when shooting high-powered,
large caliber centerfire rifles on the range. Please do not shoot at
rocks! If you see a rock on the range, please throw it into the drainage
culverts on either side of the range.
Q. How long is the rifle range? What is the
maximum target distance?
Approximately 102 yards.
Q. Are targets provided? How about target stands?
Target stands are provided and are designed for
target frames made with 1x2 furring strips and a cardboard backer. A
target frame may be available when you arrive at the range. However,
to be sure, consider bringing your own. See the
Target Frame page for instructions on how to build you own, or you
can visit TuffSteel's
website and they may have frames and/or target frame materials available
for purchase. They are right in Dillon on your way to the range.
Targets may also be provided in newspaper dispensers behind the 50
yard and 100 yard ranges.
Q. Can I put out clay targets and shoot at them?
Clay targets are only allowed on the shotgun
range. Please do not put clay targets out on the 50 yard and 100 yard
ranges. They make a mess and are very hard to clean up. Although clays
are biodegradable, it can take years!
Q. Is there a fee to use this range?
No. It is supported through county funding, NRA
grants, state grants, volunteer efforts and periodic county maintenance.
For this reason, please leave the range a little nicer than when you
arrived.
Q. Are gun rentals available at this range?
No.
Q. Where can I buy ammunition nearby?
Ammunition is typically available in Summit county
from
Sports Authority and
Wal-Mart. Click each link to see their location and contact information.
A list of online sources of ammo can be found
here.
Q. What is the weather like at this range?
Typically more windy than you might think. Layers
with an external wind-proof shell work well. Current conditions are
shown to the right and a local forecast is available
here.
Q. Are there any days the range might be closed?
Yes - possibly. Occasionally the range is closed for volunteer clean-up efforts. If a clean-up is in progress,
you will not be able to shoot on that range.
 There
are also periodic closures taking place due to construction,
maintenance,
and special events. Please refer to the news
section on the homepage or the
Range Calendar for the latest updates.
At all times, please obey the RANGE OPEN/RANGE
CLOSED sign on your right just beyond the scales. If this sign says
"RANGE CLOSED" there may be personnel working in and around the range
that you may not be able to see.
Q. What kind of shooting benches are available?
 There
are several ambidextrous shooting benches on the pistol range and several
on the rifle range. Please do not move the benches.
Q. Is there a clay thrower on the shotgun range
I can use?
No. You will need to bring your own clays and
clay thrower. Clay targets may not be used on the 50- and 100-yard ranges.
Q. Are there bathroom facilities at the range?
Yes. There is a porta-potty located at the
west-end of the parking lot. However, there is no running water, electricity,
or shelter from the elements.
Q. Can I bring my old TV/stereo/printer/computer
and shoot it up?
No. Doing so is now a misdemeanor crime and you
can be fined, and/or expelled from the range.
The only targets that can be used on the 50-yard
and 100-yard ranges are paper, cardboard, and "reusable stationary targets
that are manufactured and sold for the purpose of target shooting."
Shooting at unauthorized targets is punishable by a fine and/or expulsion
from the range (and disappointment from your fellow range users).
Q. Can I bring bottles/cans/bowling pins for
targets?
No. See the answer above.
Q. I don't see anyone around. Who runs this
range?
The range is transitioning management to the newly
formed Summit Range Association. This
is a non-profit group of volunteers working under the direction of the
Summit County
Government. Volunteer NRA-certified Range Safety Officers are periodically
on duty to help with safe range operation.
Q. Is there an archery range?
There are no provisions for archery shooting at
the range. However, Summit County does have an archery range located
near the Dillon Cemetery. Turn right onto the dirt road just after you
turn onto
Cemetery Road.
Still more questions?
If your question was not answered here, please feel free to
and we will try to get you an answer - or refer you to someone who can.
Have a great day at the range!
|
© 2013 Summit Range Association All Rights Reserved.
