The Wyoming State Shooting Complex is eyeing a potential soft opening in late 2026 or early 2027 as members of the joint powers board continue work to both finalize the establishment of the board’s operations and begin the process of creating the complex itself. 

They’re working hard — they’ve planned on twice-monthly meetings to both continue raising money and use the money they do have, including $10 million from the state, to begin work as soon as possible.

Nephi Cole, director of government relations-state affairs in Wyoming for the National Shooting Sports Foundation and a longtime supporter of a state shooting complex, told the Tribune previously that the 2023 legislation requires the money be spent by June 2026.

At the May 22 meeting of the board, members provide updates on the progress already made. 

Work on one key element, a county road to reach the site from Wyo. Highway 120S, is on track to begin in July, board member James Klessens said. 

The gravel road will be constructed by Park County, which has committed to provide up to $750,000 of in-kind work to develop the road. The county will maintain the road, which will lead from the highway to the site. 

The board is also working on completing the groundwork necessary for an official board, from being taught open meetings and records law by County Attorney Bryan Skoric, to determining a mission statement and committee responsibilities. 

The project has been in the works since 2023, intended as a way to signal Wyoming’s support for the Second Amendment and boost economic growth. A state task force solicited proposals from communities around Wyoming and picked one put forward by a Cody-based working group, which intends to build the facility on roughly 2,000 acres of state land south of town. Their plans call for hosting 15 to 20 regional and national events — including shooting competitions — and attracting over 10,000 visitors to the area each year.

PCTC recommends marketing consultant 

The Park County Travel Council is recommending the Wyoming State Shooting Complex Joint Powers Board hire a consultant to handle many of the sales, promotional and PR functions covered under the $50,000 yearly funding the council has committed to give the board. 

At Thursday’s board meeting, PCTC Executive Director Ryan Hauck spoke to board members about the funding. 

The council has been helping to push for Cody to get the complex from the early days, and Hauck said the $250,000 commitment from the council over a five year period was intended to “sweeten the pot” in helping the county land the state complex. 

The board still has $20,000 remaining to spend by the end of June. 

“We’d be failing in our fiduciary power as a board if we didn’t get this $20K spent,” said board member Danny Michaels, curator of the Cody Firearms Museum.