Boosters of a $19.5 million shooting complex south of Cody, Wyoming, hoped to start construction in April, but their hopes were dashed Friday when the Wyoming Senate declined to release $10 million in promised state money for the project.
In a last-ditch effort, Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, attached the release of state money in an amendment to House Bill 117, the omnibus water bill for construction.
The amendment was voted down 16-15.
The shooting complex money was supposed to be part of the state’s supplemental budget, which traditionally is approved on off years.
But when the Legislature killed the supplemental budget, legislators started pushing parts of it into other bills, as Hicks did with the water bill amendment.
Not Right For A Water Bill
Even though the shooting complex money was appropriated two years ago, opponents of the amendment balked at the idea of attaching it to a water bill.
“It’s like we’re funding the sinks in the building, and while we’re funding the sinks, we should put in the rest of the complex. It’s a bit of a stretch,” said Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie.
Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, expressed similar misgivings.
“You can call it (the shooting complex) economic development. Since it’s not in my county, I suppose I could call it pork, but I won’t do that,” he said.
“It may or may not be a good project, Mr. President (Senate President Bo Biteman), but it is not a water project,” Scott added.
Echoing the arguments of Hicks and other proponents, Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne, said the $10 million for the shooting complex wouldn’t be a new expenditure because it was set aside two years ago.
“We appropriated the money. It’s not like the money’s not there,” he said.
He also argued that if the project is delayed, but still goes forward somehow, inflation in construction costs will only raise the price tag.
“I’ve explained to the body (Senate), I don’t know how many times, the cost of waiting,” he said.
During his final argument for the amendment before the vote, Hicks pushed back against claims that releasing to funds through amendment to the water bill went against legislative process.
“This went through the process. It’s been through a two-year process,” he said.
Hicks said he didn’t like trying to get the money released through an amendment to another bill, but was left with no choice after the supplemental budget was killed.
“This is the horse we have to ride. Saddle up, folks,” he said.
Dead, Or Just Delayed?
One of the shooting complex’s most vocal advocates is Scott Weber, a competitive shooter and owner of Gunrunner Firearms & Auctions in Cody.
He told Cowboy State Daily that he and other backers haven’t given up on Wyoming having a huge, world-class shooting complex.
“I guess what we’re saying now is it’s going to happen, it’s just been delayed,” he said.
Some money might still be available, he added, although it’s not clear whether that money will be immediately accessible, he said.
That incudes roughly $3 million in tourism funding that had originally been earmarked for a hot air balloon festival in Casper. But when that festival was canceled, it was agreed to put the money toward the shooting complex, Weber said.
Backers of the project also hope to raise another $6 million through sponsorships, membership fees and donations, he added.
There’s hope that release of the $10 million in state funding can be put back into the budget during the legislative interim session, and then brought back before the full Legislature in 2026, Weber said.
Idea Goes Back To 2023
The idea for a world-class shooting complex in Wyoming goes back to the 2023 legislative session.
Hicks and Rep. Art Washut, R-Casper successfully sponsored a bill that appropriated the $10 million, which was set aside at that time. The cost has since ballooned to nearly twice that at $19.5 million.
The bill also created a working group charged with looking into the feasibility of building the shooting complex, and selecting its location.
Several Wyoming communities vied to be chosen as the site for the complex. Park County emerged as the winner.
According to original plans, once a site had been selected, the Legislature would then release the $10 million. That was expected to happen this year, until the supplemental budget was killed.
Proponents of the shooting complex argue that it would be a huge boon for the tourism industry, not only in Park County, but across the state.
If it is built, proponents envision it attracting crowds of well-heeled professional competitive shooters from across the nation and the world.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
