2026 Annual Meeting Recap: New Board, New Plans, Same Mission
On Monday, April 20, members of the Glenwood Springs Gun Club gathered at the Glenwood Springs Recreation Center for our 2026 annual member meeting. Thank you to everyone who made the time to be there, and to the members who couldn't attend but continue to support the club. This post is the official record of what was covered.
Remembering Seth Coller
We opened the meeting by honoring board member Seth Coller, who passed away this year. Seth contributed his time, energy, and judgment to this club for years, and his absence is felt. Our condolences to his family and friends.
2026 Board Election Results
Elections were held for five open seats: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and two Board Member positions. Your 2026 board:
President: Michael Merrill
Vice President: Ralph Delaney
Treasurer: Pam Simonson
Board Members: Larry Emery, Phillip Myers, Todd Slossberg, and Thomas Strazza
Todd and Thomas are continuing their service from prior terms. Thank you to every member who ran, and to the outgoing board for their service.
The Year Behind Us
2025 was a year of building foundations. A few of the highlights we covered:
Online membership system. We launched a member signup and renewal flow built on Stripe, Google Forms, and HelloSign. 138 members went through it this year. It's not the final form, but it works and it's a platform we can iterate on.
Bylaws update. Members approved amendments allowing digital communications and streamlined board decision-making, removing friction that slowed the club down.
Range cleanup day. More than 15 volunteers put in a single day and filled four dump trailers. Real proof of what this club can do when people show up.
Rolloff dumpster pilot. Useful experiment. We learned enough to design a better long-term solution for 2026.
Dues restructuring. Dues moved from $50 to $120 per year. Membership settled at 138, down from 169. The increased revenue is what makes everything below possible.
The Theme: Our Range. Our Responsibility.
In 2025, we spent a lot of time explaining why the club matters. In 2026, we're shifting the message to what we owe this place and each other. The range doesn't run itself. The land doesn't care for itself. Our relationships with the city, our neighbors, and the broader community are built and rebuilt every year. That work belongs to all of us.
What 2026 Looks Like
Plans the board is committing to this year:
Bear-proof trash service. A permanent replacement for the rolloff, funded through dues. Priority for early in the season.
Emergency Action Plan. Board member Justin Norris, drawing on his background as a Navy SEAL, has built the foundation. The next step is coordination with local EMS and fire.
New front gate. The existing gate is difficult to operate, particularly for our older members. It's time.
New long-range steel targets. Five 1/2" AR550 plates, co-funded and coordinated with board member Todd Slossberg.
Bike trail signage. Nearby trail users have raised concerns about hearing gunfire. Signage is a small, low-cost investment in being a good neighbor.
New member orientation program. A draft program is in circulation for member feedback. The long-term plan is to make it required for every new member.
Membership platform evaluation. Our DIY system has carried us this far; we're now looking at purpose-built platforms that could take us further.
Membership goal of 200. Growth comes from members bringing in members. If you know someone who should be part of this club, bring them out.
Fire Season
We need to be direct with members. Snowpack this winter was well below average, and a summer range shutdown is likely. We'll share timing and details as the season develops and coordinate with local authorities. We'll communicate early and clearly as the situation evolves.
The City Relationship
Our relationship with the City of Glenwood Springs continues to improve. There's new leadership on both sides and the tone is constructive. The lease still needs work, and we don't have a signed update to share yet, but the conversation is moving in the right direction.
How to Get Involved
The board sets direction, but the club runs on members. If you have time, skills, or a connection we should know about, whether that's the EAP, the gate build, orientation development, or anything else on the 2026 list, reach out. Grab a board member at the range, reply to our emails, or message us through the website.
Thanks again for being part of this club.
Michael Merrill
President, Glenwood Springs Gun Club
