CODY — A new $20 million, 2,000-acre statewide shooting complex broke ground Saturday south of Cody, with plans to officially open in 2027.

Community members and state representatives have worked on the project since 2022. Once complete, it will be Wyoming’s first-ever statewide shooting complex.

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Wyoming officials break ground on $20 million statewide shooting complex near Cody

The facility will be a first of it’s kind, with 8 different types of firing ranges open to both the public and for regional competitions. Hundreds gathered for the groundbreaking on Saturday, including longtime Cody-area resident Samuel Kuntz.

“I figured this is a historic event and I wanted to be part of it,” Kuntz said Saturday afternoon. “This is fantastic and it will fit right in with the spirit of this community.”

Kuntz said the facility belongs in his home state.

“Shooting is a very big passion of mine,” Kuntz said. “In my opinion, it is paramount to not only being a Wyoming citizen but a U.S. citizen. So, having this wonderful shooting range this close to home is going to be fantastic I am extremely pumped up about it.”

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Wyoming Senator John Barrasso attended the groundbreaking and fired the first two ceremonious shots. The facility is being built on state land and required various legislation to approve $10 million in funding from the government.

That lengthy process began with State Senator Larry Hicks, who brought the idea forward four years ago.

“I just authored a bill called the Second Amendment Defense Act,” Hicks said.

That bill, followed by a phone call with the Governor, started the process in 2022. Hicks said it required many different community members and other entities but that he’s proud to see it become a reality because of what it represents.

“Part of it’s our culture, you know?” Hicks said. “Wyoming has the highest gun ownership in the nation. So, it’s consistent with I think the values and the philosophy that I think the vast majority of people in the state of Wyoming share.”

Board member James Klessens was among the many that helped bring the idea to life, focusing on the facility’s potential economic impact.

“The main premise of the project has been economic development,” Klessens said. “It was created to attract more people to the community as tourists, visitors to the community, but we also know that when we host these kind of events that the shooting industry will play closer attention to those communities.”

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Klessens and Hicks both agreed that the facility could bring other businesses to the area, and with travelers coming from all across the competitions, it could provide a major economic boost.

“Ultimately, I just think this is going to be a win-win for Wyoming,” Hicks said.

Kuntz, and many others, couldn’t agree more.

“Whether it’s for self-defense, hunting or just for fun, it is part of the Wyoming spirit,” Kuntz said.

San Francisco rolled in today, under a gray blanket of low clouds, morning temperatures hovering near 55°F and pockets of patchy drizzle dampening parts of the city. Forecasters expect that light mist to drift on and off through the day and into early Monday, keeping highs mainly in the low to mid 60s with a steady onshore breeze keeping things feeling cooler near the water.

Afternoon Winds Pick Up

By afternoon, winds are set to swing around to the west and west-southwest and turn noticeably breezier, generally in the 6 to 12 mph range, with occasional stronger gusts funneling through the usual gaps and passes. That onshore push will leave the waterfront cooler and cloudier, while neighborhoods just a few miles inland should manage a modest warmup. The National Weather Service expects these breezy conditions to hang around into the middle of next week as the pattern dries out.

Drizzle Through Monday, Then A Warmup

A couple of weak impulses will keep light rain and drizzle in the mix tomorrow, though totals are expected to be minimal, and many parts of the city will stay either dry or just briefly damp. The marine layer is projected to thin out Tuesday, April 28, into Wednesday, April 29, which should let inland parts of the Bay Area climb into the upper 60s and low 70s.

Commute And Outdoor Plans

For tomorrow morning’s commute, expect slick patches on sidewalks and bike lanes where drizzle lingers, though driving impacts should remain minor. It is still smart to leave a little extra room for braking if the pavement is damp. Planning to be outside tomorrow. Toss a light rain jacket in your bag, especially if you are headed to the immediate coast or moving through the Golden Gate corridor, where the wettest pockets are most likely. There are no watches or warnings in effect for the city at this time.