Those wanting to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style may need to douse the sparks and opt for a more environmentally-friendly light show.

Well, as long as the sparks don’t fly.

With the Fourth of July fast approaching and with several counties in the Denver area still in drought and with fire restrictions active, many may be wondering what that means for fireworks in the Centennial State. While many cities and municipalities are planning displays to celebrate Independence Day, those wishing to use fireworks personally need to know about firework safety and restrictions where they live.

Most fireworks are illegal for personal use statewide in Colorado. That includes any firework that explodes or leaves the ground, and includes fireworks bought in other states, like Wyoming and brought back to Colorado. 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 such as 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 law. 

Denver

Despite Denver not having any active fire restrictions, within the City and County of Denver, 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 July 3 to celebrate Independence Day, followed by a drone show.

A fireworks display will also follow the Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants games on July 3 and July 4 at Coors Field.

City officials ask 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. 

To report illegal fireworks, residents may call the city’s dedicated fireworks line at 720-913-2059 or use the Sunny chatbot. Text “Hi” to 439311 (HEY311) or visit the chatbot on DenverGov.org.

Jefferson County

After issuing a Red Flag warning on Wednesday, Jefferson County entered Stage 1 fire restrictions, which ban all fireworks within the county. That includes wheels, cylindrical or cone fountains, ground spinners, illuminating torches, sparklers, noisemakers and snake or glow worms.

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

The types of fireworks banned statewide in Colorado are also banned in Jefferson County. Officials warn 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.

Similar to Denver, officials ask those who wish to report illegal fireworks to do so via a hotline, which can be reached at 303-980-7340. The hotline will be open from July 3 at 7 p.m. to July 5 at 1 a.m.

Residents can also report illegal firework use online through the Jeffcom911 phone app, or through the county’s website.

As for fireworks and drone shows, Lakewood will host a free drone show at the Plaza at Belmar starting at 5 p.m. on July 3. Arvada’s fireworks show at the Stenger Sports Complex is scheduled for 9 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m., though fire chief Kirk Lock said the show may be canceled if Stage 2 fire restrictions are implemented.

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 July 4. In addition to fireworks, the celebration will include live music, food and drinks.

Douglas County

There are no current fire restrictions in Douglas County, meaning those wanting to celebrate with personal fireworks can do so, as long as they do not fall into the categories of fireworks banned statewide. 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.

Much like in other counties, those wishing to report illegal firework use can contact the Douglas County fireworks hotline at 303-814-7118 from 6 p.m. July 3 through 1 a.m. on July 5. The non-emergency number for the Douglas County Sheriff’s office can also be reached at 303-660-7500 if the report is outside the hotline hours. Officials ask for 911 to only be called if a fire is actively burning.

In terms of festivities, Castle Rock’s Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. July 4 at Festival Park. The celebration will include a 20-minute fireworks show from Miller’s Landing at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. While personal firework use within state law is allowed in Castle Rock, officials ask for the fireworks to only be used between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on July 4.

In Highlands Ranch, fireworks will be launched around 9:30 p.m. at Highland Heritage Regional Park, as long as weather and fire restriction outlook is good. Lone Tree’s Independence Day celebration will also include fireworks, scheduled to launch at 9:30 p.m. at Prairie Sky Park.

The town of Parker will hold its July 4th Fireworks Show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday from just northeast of Salisbury Park, weather permitting.

Broomfield

While Broomfield is currently in active Level 1 fire restrictions, a free fireworks show is still planned for July 4 at 13200 Sheridan Blvd. Doors open 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. Fines for illegal use can be between $100 and $1,000. Due to the stage 1 fire restrictions, all fireworks, including sparklers, are banned.

Those wanting to report illegal firework use can do so by calling Broomfield police’s nonemergency line at 303-438-6400.

Aurora

The sale, possession and use of fireworks is legal in Aurora between June 15 and July 4, 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 July 4.

The city is hosting a 4th of July Spectacular Saturday from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy. Fireworks will start at 9:30 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 to the county being in a Stage 1 fire ban, according to the sheriff’s office on social media. The ban includes legal fireworks.

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies will be conducting enhanced firework enforcement operations and will seize illegal fireworks and issue citations. 

Conditions 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 on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. at Cornerstone Park, 5150 S. Windermere St., and Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca Drive. 

Adams County

Adams County currently 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.

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 on Friday, July 3 from 4 to 10 p.m. 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 Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m. 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 July 3-4 and Dec. 31 until 11 p.m.

Boulder County

Unincorporated Boulder County is currently in a Stage 1 fire restriction, which means that any kind of fireworks 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 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 to remain within the law and to always take 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 4th events in the metro Denver area.

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