Next Question: Why are firework tents able to sell fireworks when fire restrictions are in place?
Several of you sent that into Next this week, as fire bans are active across the state.
We checked in with a few counties to ask about their regulations.
A spokesperson for Douglas told us the county receives requests and issues permits for the sale of legal fireworks long before knowing whether there will be fire restrictions around the 4th of July. The permit comes with a stipulation that the business owner post a public notice saying the use of fireworks is prohibited when burn restrictions are in effect.
The county tells us they verify that the required signage is in place before a permit is issued, and the sheriff's office enforces that it stays there.
Their biggest issue, according to the spokesperson, is the use of illegal fireworks that have been purchased out-of-state.
In Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, the use and sale of fireworks is currently not allowed.
In unincorporated Adams County, it is. 9NEWS visited one stand at 52nd and Sheridan earlier this week, where peple can buy the kind fireworks that don't leave the ground.
And while we're on this subject, many others have asked us why commercials for firework stands are allowed to air on 9NEWS if the use of the advertised fireworks is illegal.
Well, essentially - the news department at 9NEWS doesn't talk to the sales department about the ads that air, and the sales department doesn't talk to the news department about what to put in newscasts.
The company line is that we're the public airwaves, and we provide opportunities for all advertisers, and it wouldn't serve our community if we adopt policies that restrict access only to advertisers we approve.
9NEWS' airwaves go into Wyoming, so there are people who see our signal who live in areas where fireworks that are sold in Wyoming are legal.
Have a question about something you'd like Next to find an answer to? Email Next@9news.com, or use #HeyNext.
