History

A short drive out US-285 west of Denver, the American Bowmen Club outdoor range at Windy Point became a familiar location to many archers. The club itself came into existence in 1973, evolving from the American Sportsman Club when it disbanded. Members from the folding organization knew they’d had a good thing and decided to keep the outdoor range going by starting American Bowmen.

Challenging courses with realistic hunting conditions were maintained at that same location for the next four decades, until the club learned in January of 2014 that they had lost the lease on the property. The American Bowmen Club had too much history to simply close the doors and fold as a club. Much as the founding members kept the American Sportsman’s spirit alive by starting the American Bowmen, numerous members took it upon themselves to search for a suitable property the club could move to. Even though they had no range to call home, American Bowmen continued to function as a club. The annual banquet took place in February, as usual, and many members started getting together to shoot at Bear Creek Lake Park’s outdoor range. A club picnic was also hosted there later in the summer. Events were well attended, but everyone knew that it would be difficult to keep the club together without a home range.

On September 7, 2014, the American Bowmen Club took possession of new property in Conifer, Colorado, thanks to the generosity of a member who purchased the property for the club to operate on. Numerous members put countless volunteer hours into getting the new property ready to open as a range. Since the property lacked a flat, open area, massive amounts of dirt were moved on a hillside clearing, developing a unique terraced area for the sight-in range. ArrowLast target butts were purchased to help make the 10 – 50-yard sight-in range first class. Storage and Clubhouse buildings were erected, roads and trails were cut, and shooting lanes were cleared as the hillside courses were set. All the hard work was not only for club members, but also to be able to host shoots open to the public. The club came roaring back with an incredible mountain 3D course that had people excited once again.

The excitement curtailed in August of 2015 when a notice from Jefferson County demanded ceasing all archery club operations on the property. 2016 was a rough year for the club. Lease payments continued but membership numbers and significant funding were lost. A dedicated few formed a Property Committee to explore options for saving the range. It was not understood until the last remaining weeks of 2016, that there were no options to have a range on the property due to covenants.

After club elections in January 2017, the property committee immediately began investigating and reviewing possible range sites with the knowledge of searching only property properly zoned to allow an archery range. After reviewing limited private and public land options, a new formed relationship with Colorado Parks and Wildlife revealed a possibility on Colorado State Land Board property. Range assets were moved into storage thanks to the gracious generosity of members and a new-found friendship with the Buffalo Creek Gun Club.

In April, discussions with the State Land Board progressed rapidly when appropriately zoned property was located within the state’s inventory. The zoning of “conservation/recreation” allows for a shooting range with the addition of a Conditional Use Permit from Park County.

On May 17th, the American Bowmen Club’s board and officers met and decided to pursue the required permitting for the club to operate on the McArthur Gulch State Trust Land property. Through November, club leadership worked tirelessly to obtain the permit. On November 30, 2017 during the second public hearing on the subject, the Park County Board of County Commissioners approved the Conditional Use Permit.

Several generous members stepped forward to finance the permit process as it required extensive funds the club did not have. Their generosity allowed for paying the application fee, as well as an engineering firm, geologist, surveying company and other associated expenses. This allowed the American Bowmen Club team to address all 14 components of the Conditional Use Permit application successfully.

In December, attention shifted to work out the details of a lease with the State Land Board. The club received a draft lease from the board in late December. A revised lease was received on January 11, 2018 with requested changes. The State Land Board met on January 18th and voted to approve the lease without any issues, questions or special stipulations.

The club’s five-year lease on the State Trust Land property started February 1, 2018. Numerous trips were made to the new property working on fulfilling the requirements of the Conditional Use Permit while planning both the site-in range and hillside courses. The first work party on the new property was scheduled for February 24th, but weather and a conflict with the club’s annual pheasant hunt led to a poor turnout. Many of the 38 members who maintained their memberships through 2017, along with numerous others, sacrificed the next four weekends working to get the new range up and running. On March 25th, the American Bowmen Club hosted a Grand Opening Shoot. The first shoot on the new property was well attended and very positive feedback was received by many, with some saying this is the best range yet.

The American Bowmen Club has always been a strong supporter of the Colorado Bowhunters Association. Numerous club members have been named CBA Bowhunter of the Year. Our former, long-time Secretary’s words can often be read in CBA publications. Club members are eager to volunteer to help with groups such as 4H or Boy/Girl Scouts of America. A few members even volunteer to run the youth range at the CBA Jamboree year after year.

The Pope and Young Club is also supported by the American Bowmen and club members are no strangers to their record books. Multiple members have completed the North American 29 Super Slam and one was the first to do so with a recurve bow. Many world records have been held by American Bowmen members for species such as bighorn sheep, woodland caribou and bison. Numerous animals taken by members are on display at the Pope and Young Club. The American Bowmen club even has an official scorer as a member.