Residents raise safety and enforcement concerns about proposed Rifleman's Resort

Multiple residents raised safety and compliance concerns about the conditional‑use permit for the proposed Rifleman's Resort during the public‑comment period.

John Zabel, who identified himself and his address, told the board he had filed a formal code‑enforcement complaint after observing what he described as unpermitted site construction on the applicant’s property, and he said the applicant removed social‑media posts showing construction (he cited a December 2025 video) in a possible effort to obscure evidence. Zabel said the 570‑acre site is posted as trespassing, complicating citizen verification, and he asked the board to implement an inspection schedule and to visit the site in person.

Paige Craft, another resident who referred to the January 20 meeting, quoted the board’s prior safety concerns and said the project’s commitment to livestock fencing is insufficient for a rifle range. She cited NRA range‑source guidance described in the applicant’s CUP materials and urged the board to require secure perimeter fencing and other controls to prevent unauthorized human entry and reduce county liability.

Commissioner staff and the county administrator had reported that the county sent the landowner a notice of alleged violation and that the landowner immediately implemented erosion and sediment controls; staff said no environmental damage had been observed on site during the enforcement check. Board members did not act immediately to change permit conditions during the meeting but heard requests to schedule inspections and to consider stronger fencing requirements as the permitting process continues.