Recreational Sport Shooting

Recreational Sport Shooting

Recreational sport shooting in Boulder County is subject to multiple layers of regulation at both the county and federal levels. These restrictions are in place to protect public safety, property, and natural resources, and they vary depending on where you are recreating.

Because violations can carry significant legal consequences at either the federal or county level, it is important for anyone planning to recreate with firearms to understand the rules that apply in their location. This page provides an overview of current restrictions, permitted exceptions, available maps, and resources to help you plan responsibly and stay compliant with the law.

Additional Information

If you have questions or comments about why certain areas are open or closed to recreational shooting, or other general questions that are not life safety issues, please direct those to:

Report violations to USFS by calling 970‑295‑6600 or Boulder County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 303‑441‑4444.

Please contact the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, or other law enforcement agencies, about life safety issues (e.g. unsafe shooting that is actively happening) by calling 911.

  • Use official maps before engaging in shooting activities. An interactive map will be available soon.
  • Seek out designated shooting ranges (e.g., Baker Draw, Devil’s Nose).
  • On United States Forest Service (USFS) lands inside Boulder Ranger District, check for Forest Orders before recreating with firearms.
  • There are county residential areas (e.g. Sugarloaf, Magnolia, Raymond/Riverside), where discharging a firearm, even for hunting, is illegal, except where specifically exempted.
  • It is never allowed to discharge a firearm on Boulder County Parks and Open Space properties.
  • Licensed hunting, aligned with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) regulations and Forest orders, is allowed within restricted Forest Areas or county zones where stated.
  • Paintball use (USFS only) and law enforcement/firefighters on duty are also exempt.

Contact Us

Sheriff's Headquarters

5600 Flatiron Parkway
Boulder, CO 80301

Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Main: 303-441-3600

Email bcso@bouldercounty.gov

Boulder County Jail

3200 Airport Road
Boulder, CO 80301

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Main: 303-441-4600

Communications Center

3280 Airport Road
Boulder, CO 80301

Non-Emergency:
303-441-4444

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