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I 4ES AL .CLongmont, Colorado
Friday, July 20, 2007
Publish Date:7/19/2007
Gun club given permit
But Weld issues warnings for range
By Douglas Crowl
The Daily Times-Call
GREE LEY—The Weld County Board of Commissioners approved the Berthoud Gun Club's permit to operate
Wednesday with a 4-0 vote,but not without a strong warning.
"The clock is ticking for this applicant,"Commissioner Bill Jcrkc said."Obviously,the times are changing.There's
growth in the area,and it would behoove you to find another area."
The county will review the club's permit in 10 years,at which time growth could be more of a factor,he said.
A shooting range has been on the site of Weld County roads 1 and 421/2 since the I950s,but increased use of the gun
club in the past few years,particularly because of 4-1-1 Club participants,has agitated neighbors.
A complaint brought a county code compliance officer to the site last year.The officer determined the club needed a
permit for its use.
At least 18 neighboring families handed together to fight the permit,citing noise,long hours of operation and safety
violations.
County planner Kim Ogle said the gun club turned in proof that it met minimum safety standards set by the National
Rifle Association at the hearing on Wednesday.
That document was signed by an NRA representative who was a member of the gun club,Ogle said.
Despite the commissioners allowing the permit,Ogle said he'll still need to confirm that all safety measures are met
and the documents are legitimate.
"It will be a paper trail that we will have to follow,"Ogle said.
Richard Green,who owns a large tract of land just north of the shooting range,told the commissioners he believes
shotgun pellets from the club's trap range land in his property.
Berthoud leaders annexed and approved a 2 I 0-home subdivision on his land,but potential lenders won't help finance
the project because the gun club is"noisy and dangerous,"Green said.
He wasn't happy with the commissioners'decision,which he said could result in him losing out on an S85 million
development.
"I'm now considering an industrial pig farm,"Green said."This is robbing me of my right to develop my land."
The commissioners did limit the hours of the gun club. 2010-0500
Club president Mel Green asked for members to be allowed to shoot for 13 hours a day,which adds up to 91 hours N / /3
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http:7/www.timescall.com/print.asp?I D=2490 07/20/2007
TimesCall.com - Gun club given permit Page 2 of 2
each week,Jerke said.
"That's a healthy dose,"he said.
The commissioners decided to limit the club to noon to 8 p.m.on weekdays,8 a.m.to 8 p.m.on Saturday and 9 a.m.to
6 p.m.Sunday.
"[just don't like the idea of you being open at 8 a.m.on Sunday,"Commissioner Rob Masden said,who first wanted a
noon to 8 p.m.Sunday shift.
"That would kill us,"Mel Green replied.
He said the Amateur Trapshooting Association,which pays the club to host events at the site,needs to be able to host
its events from at least 9 a.m.to 6 p.m.
"Sunday is probably our very,very most important day," Mel Green said.
County Commissioner Doug Rademacher did not vote on the permit because of a conflict of interest with the Berthoud
Gun Club,Weld County Attorney Bruce Barker said.
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