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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- A new public shooting range will be built on Fort Carson land.

El Paso County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to approve the public sport shooting complex, making it the first agreement of its kind between local government and the Army.

"We're very excited about this partnership," Commissioner Amy Lathen said. "It's been a long time coming. A lot of work has gone into this."

The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex will consist of six ranges with one range designated as a training site for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Though the shooting complex will be constructed on the Mountain Post, it will also be open to the public.

"We are going to provide all of the land," Major General David Perkins, commander of Fort Carson, said. "We are going to readjust our access so [visitors] can come in and out seven days a week without having to go through the security control process."

Access to the ranges will be just before Fort Carson Gate 20 so visitors do not have to enter through the secured entrances. Visitors will also not have to register their guns.

County commissioners and Fort Carson officials had been discussing the possibility of building a shooting range just south of Colorado Springs for almost two years. Recently the Secretary of the Army gave the required approval to move forward with the plan.

"It really is a positive, I think, for both sides," Perkins said. "Both the people in Fort Carson and those that live outside the gate."

Now that the shooting complex project plan has been approved, the next step will be to raise money to construct the facility. Phase one, which will include road improvements and development and construction of the ranges, is estimated to cost $750,000. Though funds have been provided by several partners, like the Forest Service and Colorado Department of Wildlife, as well as the contribution of private donations, the cost of the shooting complex could fall into taxpayers hands.

"As we go out and raise those funds, that will give us an idea of how much in-kind support we may or may not provide," Lathen said.

A non-profit organization, A Soldier's Friends Foundation, will collect donations to help raise money. The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex will be operated by the Fort Carson Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation, with all excess funds generated by range fees going to support soldiers and the families at the Mountain Post.

Crews are expected to break ground for the new shooting complex by next spring.

Members of the National Rifle Association, Forest Service, Colorado Department of Wildlife and several Fort Carson soldiers also attended Tuesday's meeting.