FIRESTONE, Colo. - The Town of Firestone is considering an application to annex land where a business plans to build a new shooting range.

The application requests the annexation of what is currently called Kurtz Ranch and land use approvals pertaining to Second Amendment Firearms Experience (S.A.F.E) turning it into a firearms training facility and shooting range. The town said the application indicates the range would be used for both law enforcement and members of a civilian club.

The property in question is located about a mile north of Firestone, north of State Highway 66 and east of Weld County Road 17. The town said the proposal would keep a majority of the ranch property as open space around the range.

But several neighbors are fired up about the plans. Concerns range from noise to safety.

"We’re not going to have a noise footprint," said Ron Abramson, managing partner of S.A.F.E. "We’re working with some of the best sound engineers in the country."

“Now you tell me, how (the sound from) 120 people firing weapons, which is the equivalent of a Marine combat rifle company, is not going to leave the property,” asked Bruce Wilson, a concerned neighbor.

"And of course we know that a stray bullet is going to eventually happen at one time or another," said Paul Salazar who lives just several hundred yards from the proposed range.

Other neighbors brought up concerns about the ecosystem, and the many bald eagles that nest in the trees along the river.

"It's going to disrupt a way of life," said Geoff Morris, owner of Morris Quarter Horse Training. "We moved here because of the peace and quiet."

The town's approval process requires one neighborhood meeting and two public hearings. They are scheduled for:

Jan. 29, 2013 - Neighborhood meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. at Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Ave., Firestone.

Feb. 5, 2013 - Public hearing before the Firestone Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30 p.m. at Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Ave., Firestone.

Feb. 13, 2013 - Public hearing before the Firestone Board of Trustees at 6:30 p.m. at Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Ave., Firestone.

All the application documents are available for inspection at the Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Ave., in Firestone. Questions regarding the application can be directed to the Firestone Planning Department by calling 303-531-6260.