Finding a solid place for shooting at Fort Collins isn't as simple as just pulling off the side of a dirt road with a target and a box of 9mm. If you’ve lived in Northern Colorado for more than a week, you know the vibe. It’s gorgeous. It’s open. But it’s also increasingly crowded, and the US Forest Service (USFS) isn’t messing around with enforcement lately.
People move here expecting the Wild West. They want to grab their gear and find a "secret spot" in the mountains. Honestly, those secret spots are mostly gone or covered in "No Shooting" signs because someone, at some point, decided to shoot an old refrigerator and leave the mess behind.
It's frustrating.
But if you actually know the local landscape, there are still plenty of ways to get some trigger time without getting a ticket from a ranger or a lecture from a disgruntled neighbor. Whether you're looking for a structured range with an RSO (Range Safety Officer) breathing down your neck or the raw experience of the Pawnee National Grassland, you’ve got options. You just have to know the specific boundaries.
The Public Land Dilemma: Why the Poudre Canyon is Mostly Off-Limits
For years, the go-to move for anyone interested in shooting at Fort Collins was to head up Highway 14. The Poudre Canyon is iconic. However, because of the proximity to the river, hiking trails, and private cabins, the vast majority of the canyon is closed to recreational target shooting.
You can't just find a turnout.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests have implemented strict "Sport Shooting Bans" in specific high-use areas. This isn't just about noise. It’s about fire risk and lead contamination. If you’re caught shooting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, or occupied area, you’re looking at a heavy fine. Also, you can’t shoot across a forest development road or a body of water.
Basically, the "mountain spots" everyone talks about on Reddit are usually illegal or right on the edge of being shut down.
The Baker Draw Alternative
If you want that "outdoorsy" feel but don't want to break the law, Baker Draw is usually the first recommendation. It's located in the Pawnee National Grassland, which is about an hour east of Fort Collins. It’s a managed site. That means it has actual berms and designated lanes for rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
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It's free. It's open. It’s also incredibly windy.
I’ve been out there on days where the wind is whipping so hard your targets just turn into kites. But it’s safer than a random canyon wall. The USFS built it specifically to give people a place to go so they’d stop shooting in unauthorized areas of the Grasslands. Just remember: bring your own target stands. They don't provide anything but the dirt and the rules.
Private Ranges: Where Consistency Matters
Sometimes you just want a controlled environment. You want a flat surface, a roof over your head, and maybe a place that sells snacks. Shooting at Fort Collins usually leads people to a few specific names that have been around forever.
Liberty Firearms Institute (LFI) is the big player. It’s technically in Johnstown, but for anyone in FoCo, it’s the standard. It is massive. We're talking 100,000 square feet. They have an indoor 100-yard range, which is kind of a luxury when it’s 10 degrees outside in January.
Then you have the Rocky Mountain Shooter’s Supply. It’s more of a traditional shop vibe with a range attached. It’s reliable. It’s right there on the north side of town.
- LFI: Great for luxury and long indoor shots.
- Rocky Mountain: Better for a quick session and local advice.
- Front Range Gun Club: Just down the road in Loveland, offering a more "member-focused" atmosphere.
The Rules Nobody Reads (But Should)
When you're out shooting at Fort Collins on public land, there are "Target Shooting Ethics" that the Forest Service hammers on.
First, targets. You cannot shoot glass. You cannot shoot exploding targets (Tannerite is a massive no-no on federal land in Colorado because of the fire risk). You can't shoot "junk" like TVs or old computers. It has to be paper, cardboard, or clay birds.
Second, the backdrop. You need a "natural backstop." This means a hill or a mountain of dirt that can safely stop a projectile. Shooting into the "blue sky" or over a ridge is a felony-level mistake if someone is hiking on the other side.
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And for the love of everything holy, pick up your brass.
The number one reason shooting spots get closed in Larimer County is because of "micro-trash." Thousands of spent shells and shredded target bits make an area look like a dump. Once it looks like a dump, the USFS closes it to "rehabilitate" the land, and we all lose a spot.
The Seasonal Factor
Weather changes everything here.
In the summer, fire bans are the law of the land. When Colorado gets into Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restrictions, recreational shooting on public land is often the first thing to get cut. It makes sense—one spark off a rock can start a blaze that eats 10,000 acres in this dry climate. Always check the Larimer County Sheriff’s website or the USFS "Alerts" page before heading out.
In the winter, the issue is access. The dirt roads leading to the few remaining legal spots in the foothills turn into sheets of ice or deep mud. If you don't have high clearance and 4WD, don't even try it. You'll spend $500 on a tow truck just to save $20 on range fees.
Why the Local Community is Protective
If you talk to the old-timers at the gun shops, they’re often tight-lipped about where they go. They aren't being jerks. They’ve just seen too many good spots get trashed.
There’s a real culture of "Leave No Trace" starting to take hold in the Northern Colorado shooting community. Groups like the Northern Colorado Firearms Coalition and various local clubs often organize range clean-up days. They go out to the Grasslands or the foothills with trash bags and magnets to haul away hundreds of pounds of debris.
Joining one of these groups is actually the best way to find the "real" spots.
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Once people see you’re a responsible owner who cares about the land, they’re way more likely to tell you about that one turnout in the Roosevelt National Forest that is still legal and has a perfect 200-yard line of sight.
Safety and Etiquette in the High Desert
Shooting in a high-altitude, semi-arid environment like Fort Collins presents unique challenges. Ricochets are more common on dry, rocky ground.
- Bring Water: You’re at 5,000+ feet. Dehydration happens fast, especially when you’re focused on groups and breathing.
- Check the Backdrop: Rocks are everywhere. A 5.56 round hitting a granite boulder can go anywhere. Find soft dirt.
- Mind the Wind: Especially at Baker Draw. It can shift your point of impact significantly at longer ranges.
Actionable Steps for a Successful Outing
If you're planning on shooting at Fort Collins this weekend, don't just wing it.
Start by verifying the current fire restrictions. Call the Canyon Lakes Ranger District office in Fort Collins (970-295-6700). They are surprisingly helpful and will tell you exactly where the closures are so you don't waste gas.
Next, decide on your "vibe." If you want comfort, book a lane at LFI online. If you want the grit of the plains, pack a lunch and head to Baker Draw, but get there early. On Saturdays, it fills up by 10:00 AM.
Finally, bring a heavy-duty trash bag. Even if it’s not your mess, pick up a few extra shells or a discarded target. Keeping these areas open depends entirely on the shooting community's reputation. If we look like responsible stewards, we keep our land. If we look like a nuisance, the "No Shooting" signs will keep moving further out into the plains.
Invest in a good set of electronic ear protection so you can hear what's going on around you, especially on public land where you might not be the only one in the area. Stay safe, stay legal, and keep the brass off the grass.