Neighbors raise concerns about noise and opening of Clear Creek shooting range

Residents near the county's improved shooting range urged the board to confirm that the revised design achieves the noise mitigation originally described in grant documents before the range opens to the public.

Deanna Smith, who runs the Idaho Springs RV Resort and serves on the tourism board, said planning documents originally cited specialized noise mitigation and that the project secured about $860,000 in development grant funding. She told commissioners she visited the site after complaints on May 30 and found two people shooting while overhead canopies had already been installed; she asked the county to objectively evaluate noise reaching neighboring properties prior to public opening so the campground and range can both "succeed together."

Commissioners acknowledged the concern and said the renovated range will be managed (users check in and rent space through the rec center) and is not intended to be the informal, unsupervised facility it once was. Officials said some noise-mitigation elements were adapted for cost, that ceiling-mounted devices intended to reduce sound were recently put in place, and that staff will follow up on reports of any unauthorized shooting. They also noted Stage Two fire restrictions restrict certain activities and could delay an opening date; no firm opening date was provided.

The board urged residents to report ongoing incidents (county web page and Forest Service reporting were referenced) and said staff will monitor complaints and pursue improvements if the mitigation proves insufficient.

Next steps: staff will investigate reported May 30 activity, document noise impacts, and brief the board if mitigation needs further investment before allowing public operations.