Chief Ouray Gun Club History

Mission Statement: The Chief Ouray Gun Club (COGC) is dedicated to promoting the art and skill of shooting responsibly for self-defense and hunting with focus on safety and training. 

Recent History

The folks that managed COGC from 2009 to 2021 made vast improvements to the range. This board oversaw:

• Shooting benches were added;
• A cement pad was poured and a covered structure erected to improve the long-range rifle station;
• Stairs and a handrail were built to access the revamped long-range rifle station;
• Sani-Serv out of Montrose donates the use and regular emptying of the port-a-potty;
• A club member donated the time and materials to erect a beautiful permanent grill (like you see at public parks, etc.) at the range;
• Bob Morss, a fellow club member, brought several truckloads of soft fill dirt, which was piled up at the ends of the range lanes to act as soft impact zones for bullets going downrange greatly increasing the safety of our range by reducing the risk of ricochet;  
• Bob Morss, created what is now Range 1 (the pistol range).
• Parker McAbery, a fellow club member, provides tax filing services

History: 



The club was founded in 1955. It was originally located between what is now the Twin Peaks Motel and Box Canyon Motel at the far south end of Ouray.  At that time, the Club had one long building where only hand guns could be used on the indoor range.

In September of 1989, the property where the Club sat was sold to the Box Canyon Motel, and the Club bought five acres where it is now located off Hwy 550 across from Orvis Hot Springs south of Ridgway.

COGC originally had three ranges and concrete block tables for shooting. Actual standard shooting tables were purchased and installed ten years ago, with handgun specific areas and rifle/shotgun specific areas. A rifle shooting station with a roof was eventually built as was a range designated for archery practice.

COGC supports local law enforcement agencies and provides the range and lanes for their training.   

COGC has always and continues to be a self-service range where Members must bring their own targets, and are required to clean-up after their use of the facility. The COGC has a security gate and members are given the code for access to the different firing areas.   

The Club is maintained and funded by membership fees and donations. It is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Colorado. Since the Club’s inception, it has been managed, enhanced and maintained by a 100% volunteer group of dedicated members. In 2021, the Club became recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.