Target Shooting Regulations

---

No discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun...

•from, across, on, along, or over a road, trail, path, or body of water.

•in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage.

•into or within a cave.

•in or within 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, trailhead, road, trail, structure, path, historical site, developed recreation area or occupied area. 

See Federal restrictions §Title 36 Chapter II Part 261.10 Occupancy and use.

•Do not abandon any personal property.

•Pack out or properly dispose of all garbage. Leave no trace of your visit.

•Only use clay pigeons, cardboard, paper, steel, or self sealing targets manufactured for firearm use.  

•Use target stands with a safe backstop. NEVER place targets on vegetation or structures, such as: trees, logs, stumps, slash piles, fences, fence post, buildings, signage, or water tanks.

•Do not discharge a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun in a manner that is disturbing, injuring, or in any way damaging to an archaeological resource, structure, site, artifact, or property.

Look for all USFS Orders by Region, Forest, and Ranger District on their website.

•May not possess a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or a controlled substance.

•May carry a firearm in a vehicle if its use is for lawful protection of such person or another's person or property. Colorado law also allows a person to possess a handgun in a dwelling, place of business, or automobile. However, when you carry the weapon into your home, business, hotel room, etc. it must be in plain view. 

•May carry a weapon in your vehicle. However it is unlawful for any person, except a person authorized by law or by the division, to possess or have under his control any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, in or on any motor vehicle unless the chamber of such firearm is unloaded.

See all Colorado Statutes

The following act is prohibited in Region 2:

•Using an explosive, which is any chemical compound, mixture, or device that has the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion (including exploding targets).

View all USFS RMR Orders

•Only use cardboard targets, paper targets, manufactured metallic targets (metal targets specifically designed for firearms), manufactured thrown-type clay targets (clay pigeons), manufactured polymer ground-bouncing or self-healing firearm targets.

View all PNF Orders.

Three locations where recreational target shooting is allowed: Kelsey Creek NFSR 528.G, Harris Park NFSR 108.B, and Camp Fickes.

•No Glass or Plastic allowed (Except polymer and ground bouncing self-healing firearm targets).

View SPRD shooting brochure with rules, regulations, and local closures map.

Jefferson County has vary few restrictions on target shooting.

See all Jefferson County Ordinances

•Use TARGETS specifically manufactured for firearms use.

•Everyone must be wearing hearing and eye protection BEFORE proceeding into shooting area.

•Park facing NORTH in line with other vehicles.

•Shoot SOUTH towards berm. This includes skeet shooting.

•Place target stands, targets, and all equipment directly BEHIND your vehicle.

•Make a clear and obvious FIRING LINE with others.

•Work together as a GROUP to establish cease fires, hot and cold range safety calls.

•Sling, holster, or place weapons in SAFE MODE during cold range safety call.

•NEVER handle any firearms while people are down range past the firing line.

•Listen, understand, help communicate, and follow all SAFETY CALLS immediately.

•Treat every gun as if it is loaded.

•Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you do not intend to shoot.

•Keep your finger off of the trigger until your sights are on the target and you are ready to shoot.

•Make sure of your target and what is beyond it confirming your backstop.

See more from NSSF