Douglas County imposes firework ban ahead of Fourth of July weekend
Backyard fireworks are off limits in unincorporated Douglas County, where Stage 1 restrictions now cover Larkspur and Castle Pines. Violators face fines as high as $1,000.
Douglas County shut down backyard fireworks before the holiday weekend, putting Stage 1 fire restrictions in place across unincorporated Douglas County, including Larkspur and Castle Pines. The June 29 order bans open burning of any kind and the use of fireworks, as officials warned that dry conditions and wind could turn a small spark into a fast-moving wildfire.
Sheriff Darren Weekly said the county had no safer alternative given the conditions and did not want to repeat a disaster like the Marshall Fire. The restrictions were driven by a lack of moisture, the potential for high winds and limited state resources while firefighters battled multiple wildfires across Colorado. The timing was deliberate, with the county tying the move to Fourth of July gatherings and America’s 250th birthday celebrations, when residents would normally be planning large backyard events.
The ban is broader than many homeowners may realize. Weekly said even sparklers and fountains are prohibited because they can throw off heat, sparks or embers in dry grass. Fireworks may still be sold, but they cannot be used in the restricted area, and vendors are posting signs and handing out safety materials to make the rules clear. The county said violations can bring fines of up to $1,000. Weekly also urged people not to flood 911 with fireworks complaints unless there is an active fire, so emergency lines stay open for true emergencies.
For people looking for a legal alternative, professional fireworks displays were still expected to go forward if weather stayed favorable, with local fire departments monitoring conditions and ready to cancel if winds strengthened.
A wildfire near Devil’s Head Recreation Area prompted an evacuation warning in Douglas County on June 20, and the sheriff’s office has its Helitack team as a key part of the county’s response strategy. The program is the only county firefighting helicopter operation in Colorado, and county planning records include a June 2025 application for a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter landing zone.
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