With wildfires burning around Colorado ahead of America’s 250th birthday, local fire departments and municipalities are taking measures to reduce wildfire risk from fireworks.

On Thursday, Douglas County canceled all fireworks shows across the county and Jefferson County banned the use and sale of all fireworks in its unincorporated areas.

Both counties are in Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Several municipalities in southern Colorado, where wildfires persisted on Tuesday, have already canceled city-sponsored fireworks shows.

Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Ouray all announced the cancellation of fireworks shows.

Most fireworks are illegal for personal use statewide.

That includes any firework that explodes or leaves the ground, as well as fireworks bought in from other states, like Wyoming.

This ban includes popular firework types, such as firecrackers, cherry bombs, Roman candles, mortars, M-80s and bottle rockets.

Notwithstanding local restrictions, that leaves Coloradans with the option of using firework types like sparklers, smoke bombs, fountains or snakes.

Penalties for possessing a banned type of firework can include up to a 10-day jail sentence and up to a $300 fine, according to Colorado laws. 

In Denver, all fireworks are prohibited

Despite Denver not having any active fire restrictions, all fireworks — including sparklers and snakes — are prohibited. 

According to the Denver City Municipal Code, the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited.

If it lights up, sparkles, explodes or leaves the ground, it is illegal. Penalties for violations include up to $999 in fines and/or court costs and up to one year in jail. 

Only professional displays permitted by the Denver Fire Department, conducted by licensed operators and under its supervision, are allowed.

While Denver’s annual Civic Center Park celebration has been canceled due to ongoing construction, Sunset Park will be hosting a screening of “National Treasure” on Friday to celebrate Independence Day, followed by a drone show.

A fireworks display will also follow the Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants games on Friday and Saturday at Coors Field.

City officials have asked that residents help keep emergency lines open and not call 911 to report illegal fireworks — unless there is an injury or a fire that threatens life or property. 

Jefferson County adopts fire restrictions

Jefferson County upgraded to Stage 2 fire restrictions on Thursday. The restriction bans all fireworks within unincorporated areas of the county.

That includes wheels, cylindrical or cone fountains, ground spinners, illuminating torches, sparklers, noisemakers and snake or glowworms.

The Jefferson County Commissioners Court voted to ban the sale of fireworks in unincorporated areas, Jeffco officials said Tuesday.

Arvada also announced Thursday that its show had been canceled due to elevated fire risk. The city said it determined the show could not continue safely given the danger for wildfires.

Fireworks not banned under state law are typically allowed when fire restrictions are not active.

Officials warned that those found using illegal fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county could face a Class 3 misdemeanor charge, which could result in a fine up to $750 and a six-month jail sentence, according to the sheriff’s office.

As for fireworks and drone shows, Lakewood will host a free drone show at the Plaza at Belmar starting at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Westminster City Park’s 4th of July celebration, which is set to include a fireworks show, will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to fireworks, the celebration will include live music, food and drinks.

A fireworks show is also planned for Friday at Clement Park in Littleton. The show will start at 9:30 p.m.

Douglas County cancels fireworks displays

Douglas County entered Stage 2 restrictions Thursday, prompting the cancellation of Independence Day fireworks displays across the county.

Officials have warned that in addition to receiving fines for using illegal fireworks, criminal charges such as arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment or civil penalties could be filed.

Like Denver, officials asked residents to only call 911 if a fire is actively burning.

The restrictions forced the cancellation of the July 4 fireworks display planned at Highlands Heritage Regional Park in Highlands Ranch.

Castle Rock officials described current wildfire conditions as “very high or extreme” and said local conditions are worse than those experienced during the 2002 Hayman fire.

The heightened restrictions prohibit all fireworks and require fireworks stands to close. The situation also led to the cancellation of the town’s Independence Day fireworks show. Town officials said they will explore rescheduling the professional fireworks display later this year if conditions improve.

In Parker, officials canceled the town’s July 4 fireworks show and rescheduled it for Veterans Day on Nov. 11 after implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions. Town officials said the decision followed a review of weather conditions, critically low fuel moisture levels and wildfire risk.

Lone Tree on Thursday also canceled its fireworks show.

Here’s the condition in other counties.

Broomfield

While Broomfield is currently in active Level 1 fire restrictions, a free fireworks show is still planned for Saturday at 13200 Sheridan Blvd. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the fireworks planned for 9:15 p.m.

As with the rest of the state, most fireworks are illegal in Broomfield, with only toy caps, sparklers, noisemakers and smoke devices allowed. Fines for illegal use can be between $100 and $1,000. Due to the stage 1 fire restrictions, all fireworks, including sparklers, are banned.

Aurora

The sale, possession and use of fireworks is legal in Aurora between June 15 and Saturday, according to the city’s website. Only fireworks that do not leave the ground or explode, including fountains, wheels, sparklers, snakes and ground spinners, are allowed.

Prohibited fireworks include firecrackers, bottle rockets, ladyfingers, mortars and Roman candles. 

Aurora is currently under a Stage 1 fire restriction but allowing exceptions for the aforementioned types of fireworks through Friday.

The city is hosting a 4th of July Spectacular Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. and last about 30 minutes. The event will also include live music, face painting and food trucks.

Arapahoe County

In Arapahoe County, all fireworks are banned due under Stage 1 fire restrictions, according to a social media post from the sheriff’s office. The ban includes legal fireworks.

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies will conduct enhanced firework enforcement operations and will seize illegal fireworks and issue citations, authorities said. 

Conditions could change day by day depending on fire danger and weather, so residents are encouraged to check the county’s website for updates. 

The rules only apply to unincorporated Arapahoe County. Municipalities within the county may have their own rules. 

The City of Englewood is holding a 4th of July celebration with a fireworks display from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Cornerstone Park, 5150 S. Windermere St., and Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca Drive. 

Adams County

Adams County, which is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, allows legal fireworks, which include those that do not leave the ground or explode. 

Conditions can change day by day, so residents interested in using legal fireworks should check county regulations beforehand, authorities said.

The county will celebrate the holiday with Stars and Stripes, an annual celebration at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton. The event takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and will include live music, food vendors and a fireworks display.

Adams County’s fireworks rules apply only to the unincorporated parts of the county. Municipalities within the county may have their own rules.

The City of Thornton is holding a 4th of July celebration from noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Carpenter Park Fields, 11000 Colorado Blvd. There will be live music, a beer garden, food vendors and fireworks. All other fireworks are illegal in the city.

Commerce City will celebrate with 4th Fest Saturday from 3 p.m. onward at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, with fireworks following the USA vs. Portugal World Cup match. Legal fireworks are allowed on Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.

Boulder County

Boulder County is split. Western parts of the county are under Stage 2 restrictions, while eastern parts of the county remain in Stage 1. Regardless, any kind of fireworks, including sales, are not allowed. This includes the sale and use of fireworks. Violating fire restrictions can result in a fine up to $500.

Due to the restrictions, there will be no fireworks shows in the city of Boulder. Louisville’s Fourth of July celebration, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Coal Creek Golf Course, will include a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks safety

Tens of thousands of people are treated at emergency rooms each year for firework-related injuries, with 13,000 people in total treated last year, according to a report from the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory, which is down slightly from 2024.

James Fuller, a fireworks safety expert with TNT Fireworks, said the most important aspects of fireworks safety are adhering to laws and taking extra safety precautions.

He warned fireworks consumers to always check local fire restrictions before lighting fireworks to avoid accidentally setting a fire.

“It’s important that you only buy legal consumer fireworks, and it’s important as well that you make sure that you are in a location and you’re in the right time of year to use those fireworks,” Fuller said. “Pick a safe location — a flat, a flat dry surface to light your fireworks off of. We think concrete, dirt or pavement are really good in Colorado. Especially, you need to shy away from any location that has dry grass or brush or debris, especially as it’s a drier year this year.”

Fuller also said to make sure fireworks are being lit away from homes, vehicles and structures and to make sure there is a water source or fire extinguisher nearby. He also warned against trying to relight a dud firework, as there may be some kind of malfunction that could result in an injury.

Leave firework lighting to adults, he said.

“Never ever let children light fireworks, even a sparkler,” Fuller said. “A sparkler that we all play with when we’re kids, as a parent, you’re always tempted to give that to a toddler, but a sparkler burns at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So, a sparkler can create significant burns.”

Here’s a list of fairs, rodeos and July 4 events in the metro Denver area.

Denver Gazette reporters Nick Fogleman, Deborah Smith and Kyla Pearce contributed to this report.