Logan County promotes shooting sports complex for recreation and training

The Logan County Shooting Sports Complex is being presented as more than a place to shoot. On county channels, it sits alongside news and calendar information, a sign that Logan County wants residents to treat it like a public recreation asset where schedules, events and updates are easy to follow. In a rural county, that matters because it gives shooters a formal place for organized use instead of leaving every outing to private arrangements.

A county facility built through shared hands

The complex’s own materials describe a project built through cooperation among Logan County, the City of Sterling, the State Land Board, the Department of Corrections and Sterling Correctional Facility, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. That list tells the story of a facility that was assembled across agencies and public land interests, not built as a private range tucked away from county oversight.

Logan County owns the complex and the Logan County Commissioners manage it. The commissioners appointed Dave Appelhans to handle day-to-day operations, which gives the range a named local manager and a clear line of accountability. Membership applications are reviewed by the LCSSC Membership Committee, working within the larger advisory structure tied to the LCSSC Advisory Board.

The county’s role also shows up in how the facility is promoted. Instead of being treated as an informal shooting spot, it is listed as an official county resource for outdoor recreation, target sports, training and event information. That makes the complex part of Logan County’s public recreation infrastructure in the same way a fairground, park or athletic complex would be.

Where it is and how to use it

The membership form lists the complex at 12515 Hwy 61 in Sterling, Colorado 80751. Payment instructions point members to LCSSC at 315 Main St. in Sterling, and credit card payment is available through the County Commissioner’s Office at the Logan County Courthouse, 315 Main St., Sterling, CO. Those details matter because they show the range is not a loose, cash-only setup; it has a formal county payment path and a public office tied to membership access.

Range rules say the complex is a work-in-progress and remind users to “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” by cleaning up after themselves. The site also says the complex is not staffed, hours are sunrise to sunset, and daily fees are charged unless a user buys an annual membership. If the gates are closed, the complex is closed. That combination of rules gives users a clear framework: arrive during daylight, follow the posted system, and do not assume the site is open just because the property is visible from the road.

For first-time users, that structure is important. A managed range removes some of the guesswork that comes with informal shooting areas, and it gives families a place where the rules are posted in advance rather than negotiated on the spot. It also creates a more predictable setting for people who want to build confidence before they shoot on private land or join a club.

Safety rules that set the tone

The safety packet is direct about what is and is not allowed. Tracer ammunition, incendiary ammunition, armor-piercing ammunition and explosive targets are prohibited. Children under 18 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times, and alcohol is not permitted on the property.

Those policies make the range useful as a safety-learning environment as much as a recreation site. They also signal that the county is drawing a clear line around responsible use, which is especially important when a facility is meant to serve a mix of experienced shooters, beginners and young people. A site with written rules, supervision requirements and a ban on hazardous ammunition is easier for families to trust and easier for event organizers to use.

The rules also reflect a land-use reality in a county where shooting and outdoor recreation overlap. A dedicated county range reduces pressure to improvise on open ground, where safety expectations can vary from one property to the next. By setting the terms in one place, the county gives residents a clearer standard for safe target practice and organized sport.

Events, leagues and youth shooting

The complex has already shown a history of organized activity. One event page documents a 2017 Spring League and an “End of League Fun Night,” evidence that the site has long been used for structured competition rather than only casual practice. Other pages list Open Trap Times and the Colorado State High School Clay Target Shooting League, which points to a calendar that includes both open participation and scholastic shooting.

That mix matters for Logan County families because it connects the facility to youth development and skill-building. The high school clay target league gives school-age shooters a place to compete under an organized format, while open trap time gives adults and newcomers a place to practice within a managed schedule. A county page that can host both kinds of activity is useful for residents who want a local option instead of driving to larger venues.

The facilities page also includes an entry labeled “Installed 07/2024,” a small but telling sign that the complex continues to be built out. For a county facility, that kind of update suggests continuing investment rather than a one-time opening followed by neglect. It also helps explain why the site is presented with a latest news and calendar section: the county is using it as a live public-facing space, not just a static brochure.

Why the complex matters in Logan County

For Sterling and the rest of Logan County, the value of the shooting sports complex is practical. It provides a managed place for recreation, competition and instruction, with county oversight, posted rules and a schedule that can support leagues and event notices. It also gives residents a safer alternative to informal shooting areas, where access, cleanup and supervision can be harder to coordinate.

The broader payoff is civic as much as recreational. A formal shooting facility can support youth participation, help new shooters learn the basics under supervision and give established users a predictable place to practice. In a county where outdoor sports are part of local life, that kind of public infrastructure turns an everyday activity into something organized, safer and easier to manage for the long term.