Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff on July 18 gave the Parks and Wildlife Commission an extensive update on the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex near Palisade, describing current operations, education programs, partnerships and a multi‑phase expansion plan.

Jacob Ray, deputy region manager for CPW's Northwest Region, introduced Walt Prew (Cameo manager) and Kathleen Fisher (operations manager). "Cameo is 1,800 acres of sportsman's paradise set in the rugged beauty of Colorado's high desert landscape," Ray said. He recounted the site history—former industrial use acquired through a 2016 partnership with the town of Palisade and developed with Future Generations Act support.

Staff said Cameo now includes 28 shooting bays, a long‑range precision rifle area (100–2,000 yards), three sporting‑clays courses, five archery ranges including a two‑mile extreme loop, picnic shelters and group camping. Ray and Prew described regular hunter education courses (about 1,500 participants since 2020), an Ultimate Hunter Shooting Sports program, adaptive shooting events, international matches and monthly community classes. Prew said volunteers logged roughly 15,000 hours in 2024 and more than 70,000 hours since 2019.

Commissioners asked about outreach, accessibility and regulatory changes that affect the shooting community. Kathleen Fisher said Cameo designs facilities to be accessible; she noted the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit and said visitors from multiple states reported Cameo as among the most accessible ranges they've used. Jacob Ray said Cameo is eligible for Keep Colorado Wild funds and other federal support such as Pittman‑Robertson funding.

Staff showed a Phase 2 master plan that would create a multi‑building education campus with a visitor center, exhibition hall (45,000 sq. ft., capacity about 2,000), a botanical garden and wetlands and an Arrowhead Lake stocked for fishing. Prew said the design is complete and ready to proceed but that funding and a statewide fiscal context have put construction on hold; staff said they would pursue outside funding if available.

Commissioners praised the facility and its economic benefits; Division Director Davis noted the facility brings significant local economic activity, including large events that the staff estimated collectively add millions to the local economy. Commissioners also discussed environmental measures such as outreach on non‑lead ammunition and the facility's role in concentrating shooting activity to reduce damage elsewhere.

No commission vote was required. Staff will continue to operate Cameo, pursue partnerships and return with budget or design updates if external funding becomes available.