Stephen "Pancho" Harpham

Growing up in the mountains west of Fort Collins, Pancho developed a love for the outdoors and firearms by exploring the foothills with his dogs and trusty air rifle. Pancho’s firearms training began in 2007 when he became an NRA Certified instructor in Rifle & Muzzleloading (MZ) Rifle to help his son’s Scout Troop teach the rifle merit badge. This rekindled his enthusiasm with firearms and he earned additional instructor certifications in Shotgun, MZ Shotgun, Shotgun Coach, Archery, Home Firearm Safety, Pistol, MZ Pistol, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, CCW, and Range Safety Office (RSO).

Pancho became an NRA Training Counselor (TC) and Chief Range Safety Officer which allows him to create new instructors and RSOs. He also helped develop the latest NRA CCW curriculum and accepted an appointment as a regional (2nd) level TC. Pancho is a USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Instructor and a Bristlecone Certified Instructor.

Pancho’s affiliation with Bristlecone began in early 2017 as a founder of the Boy Scout Venturing Crew 563 youth group that meets at Bristlecone and teaches shooting safety & skills to boys & girls 14-20 years old. He is passionate about firearm training & introducing the next generation of youth and new adult shooters to the safe and responsible use of firearms for recreation, competition, and defense. He has also trained security personnel and law enforcement officers in the tactical use of pistols, rifles & shotguns for their duties.

Pancho currently teaches most of the popular classes and is available for private instruction (pistol, rifle, shotgun). His training is conducted under an umbrella of safety with a simple, systematic approach designed to increase your firearm knowledge and shooting skills from wherever you currently are to your next level.