KUSA — KUSA - Fireworks on the Fourth of July are a staple of summer and a fun way to celebrate with the family, but it's important to have fun in a safe and legal way.
Any type of firework that leaves the ground is illegal in Colorado. However, depending on where you live, there may be certain types that are legal like sparklers, snakes and fountains.
Recent wildfires across the state have forced some areas that usually allow low key fireworks to enact a complete ban.
9NEWS has compiled a list of "fireworks rules" for locations around the Denver metro area.
Adams County (unincorporated)
The county does not have any ordinances that are more restrictive than the state laws. However, many cities in Adams County have adopted their own ordinance and restrictions.
That being said, any fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal. This includes: cherry bombs, Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, shells and rockets, M-80s and M-100s and helicopters.
Items that are legal include: cylindrical or cone fountains, wheel and ground spinners, illuminating torches and colored fire, dipped sticks and sparklers, toy propellant or toy smoke devices, trick noise makers and snakes or glow worms.
Fireworks can't be possessed or used by children under the age of 16 without direct adult supervision.
Due to high fire danger and ongoing drought conditions, the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners approved a ban on the sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated portions of the county on June 12.
The ban is in effect for one year and can be rescinded if drought and fire conditions improve.
The possession and use of any firework (including sparklers) is illegal. A hotline will be available to report fireworks violations from July 1 - July 6. The Arvada Police Department will enforce fireworks violations and ticket all people in possession of fireworks and all fireworks will be confiscated.
Because of dry conditions, Aurora's fire chief issued a ban on the sale and use of all fireworks within the city of Aurora in mid-June 2018.
The ban will remain in effect until such time that this order is rescinded by the fire chief. Violations of the ordinance may result in a fine of up to $2,650 and other fees and costs imposed by the court.
In mid-June, Boulder County enacted a level 1 fire restriction, which bans the use of all personal fireworks.
Most common fireworks are legal, with the exception of those items that fly through the air, explode, or emit projectiles. Fireworks that explode, leave the ground, fly through the air, or emit flaming projectiles are illegal. Those include Roman candles, pop bottle rockets, firecrackers, Cherry bombs and M-80s
Legal items include fountains, ground spinners (some crackle and pop), smoke bombs, sparklers, small toy cars/tanks with pyrotechnics/glow worms.
Sparklers, trick matches, cigarette loads, trick noisemakers, toy smoke devices, and novelty auto alarms are allowed in Broomfield. Also, toy caps which do not contain more than twenty-five hundredths of a grain of explosive compound per cap.
Everything else is illegal.
Castle Rock, as of June 4, is under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction, meaning all personal fireworks are banned. Check here to see if that ban has been lifted.
Due to high fire danger in 2018, there is a burn ban and an ordinance in effect that bans the use of all fireworks in the City of Centennial.
The ban will remain in effect until this order is formally rescinded or temporarily suspended by the Arapahoe County Sheriff, and such date cannot be determined at this time. The ban does not apply to professional fireworks shows that are supervised by firefighting personnel.
It is illegal to possess, make, use or sell fireworks – even small sparklers – within Commerce City. On June 18, City Council held an emergency ordinance and voted to increase the fine to $500 for the first offense and $750 for each subsequent offense.
Permissible fireworks: Cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners, illuminating torches and colored fire, dipped sticks and sparklers, toy propellant or toy smoke devices, trick noise makers and snake or glow worms are all permissible.
Illegal fireworks: Anything that explodes or leaves the ground -- cherry bombs, roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, shells and rockets, M-80s and M-100s and helicopters.
If you have to light or ignite, it's illegal. Penalties for violations are up to $999 in fines and/or court costs, up to 1 year in jail.
As of June 7, Douglas County has banned fireworks due to a Stage 1 Fire Restriction.
Elbert County is currently under a Stage II burn restriction. This means that the sale and use of fireworks – as well as educational rockets – is prohibited.
El Paso County is currently under a Stage II burn restriction. This means that the sale and use of fireworks is prohibited.
Fireworks that leave the ground are illegal in Evans. Legal fireworks include sparklers, trick matches, noise makers and glow worms.
All fireworks, including sparklers and snakes, are illegal to sell, possess, or use in the city of Fort Collins.
Golden
All fireworks are banned within Golden city limits. This includes all fireworks sold at stands in Colorado and of course all of the state banned fireworks.
Greeley allows cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers, snake or glow worm pressed pellets.
Fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal. That includes bottle rockets, roman candles and exploding fireworks such as firecrackers and M-80s.
Jefferson County, as of June 5, is under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction, meaning all personal fireworks are banned. Check here to see if that ban has been lifted.
The use of all fireworks, including items such as sparklers, snakes and smoke bombs, is prohibited within Lafayette city limits. Those in possession or caught using them will be ticketed.
By Lakewood city ordinance, all fireworks are prohibited. This includes items like sparklers, Roman candles and smoke bombs. Fines for illegal fireworks can reach $2,650.
The Lakewood Police Department will have extra agents on patrol throughout Lakewood to focus solely on fireworks issues.
All personal fireworks are illegal in Littleton, including sparklers. Use and possession of fireworks is serious and you could be cited.
"Permissible fireworks" include cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks and sparklers.
Fireworks that are aerial, explode, or fragment – such as bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles, firecrackers, cherry bombs and similar more powerful fireworks – are illegal.
The illegal use of fireworks in Lone Tree may result in a fine of up to $1,000.
The sale or use of any firework that leaves the ground is illegal in Loveland.
Legal fireworks in Loveland include sparklers, fountains, smoke balls, items with crackle or strobe effects, wheels and spinners and various novelty items.
In Northglenn, all fireworks all illegal. This includes any that explode or leave the ground and fountains, sparklers, spinners, snakes and other novelties.
Parker enacted a Stage 1 Fire Restriction on June 7, meaning the use of all personal fireworks is prohibited.
In Thornton, fireworks cannot be possessed, made, sold, handles or used. This includes any firework that has to be lit. Novelty items like snap pops or confetti-filled items are permissible.
A first violation is a minimum fine of $500 and second violation is a fine of $1,000.
From 12 a.m. July 3 through 12 p.m. July 5 permissible fireworks are allowed. These include "non-explosive" pyrotechnics that are not intended to leave the ground or create a loud noise: cigarette loads, cylindrical or cone fountains, explosive auto alarms, glow worms, ground spinners and wheels, illuminating torches and colored fire, party poppers, snakes, sparklers and other dipped sticks, toy propellant, toy smoke devices and trick matches and noise makers.
Fireworks that explode, emit a loud bang, leave the ground due to an explosive charge or fly through the air are always illegal in Westminster.
Don’t see where you live on the list? Find out the fireworks rules by contacting your city or county directly and going to the websites.
