Basalt Shooting Range Reopens After Fire Season Closure

Aspen —The Basalt State Wildlife Area shooting range is open again. As of Friday, Sept. 4, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) ended the temporary shutdown that kept rifles and pistols holstered during peak fire season.

For context, the closure wasn’t arbitrary. It was triggered by extreme fire danger in the region. On paper, a shooting range is a low-risk operation. In practice, a single stray round landing on dry grass or dead brush can ignite a wildfire. That risk is why the range was closed in the first place.

The reopening decision followed improvements in local fire conditions. Specifically, officials monitored fuel moisture levels — the amount of water in the vegetation. When that moisture rises, the grass becomes harder to ignite. CPW determined the range could operate safely based on those metrics.

This wasn’t a solo decision by state agencies. The press release notes the move was made in coordination with local partners. That list includes the White River National Forest, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, and both Eagle and Pitkin counties. For neighbors in Basalt, Gypsum, and Parachute, that local buy-in matters. It means the fire crews who respond to calls in the valley had a say in when the range could resume firing.

Matt Yamashita, the Area Wildlife Manager for CPW, addressed the local shooting community directly in the release. “We understand the importance of this facility to the local shooting community and thank the public for their patience and cooperation while these necessary safety measures were in place,” he said.

Now that the range is back, the rules are clear. The facility offers both a rifle range and a pistol range. Discharging firearms is allowed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Weekends run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This schedule holds from March 15 through Oct. 14.

The winter schedule tightens up. From Oct. 15 through March 14, the window shrinks to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the week. If you’re planning a trip to the range, check the calendar before you load your truck.

Safety requirements remain strict. Visitors must wear hearing and eye protection at all times. Firearms must always be pointed in a safe direction — meaning a direction where a bullet cannot strike anyone, accounting for ricochets and penetration through walls. Treat every gun as loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until ready, and know your target and what lies beyond it.

The practical bottom line: if you’ve been waiting to get back to the range in Basalt, you can go. Just bring your gear, follow the hours, and keep an eye on the weather.