Colorado: Are fireworks legal?
Colorado allows fountains, sparklers, wheels and similar 'permissible fireworks,' but bans aerial devices and firecrackers.
Permissible fireworks are small fountains, ground spinners, sparklers, torches, snakes and multi-tube devices whose sparks rise no more than 15 feet. Aerial devices and audible ground devices such as firecrackers are excluded and illegal to possess or set off anywhere in the state. Fireworks may not be sold or given to anyone under 16, though younger children may use permissible fireworks with adult supervision. Cities and counties may further restrict or ban sale, use and possession, including of permissible fireworks.
Conditions
- Not to be sold or furnished to anyone under 16
- Under 16 may use permissible fireworks only with adult supervision
- Cities and counties may ban or restrict permissible fireworks
What the law says
"Permissible fireworks" do not include aerial devices or audible ground devices, including, but not limited to, firecrackers. ... it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or discharge any fireworks, other than permissible fireworks, anywhere in this state.
Sources
- C.R.S. 24-33.5-2001(11) (definition of permissible fireworks), public.law Mirror of official text · colorado.public.law
- C.R.S. 24-33.5-2002 (unlawful use or sale), public.law Mirror of official text · colorado.public.law
- C.R.S. 24-33.5-2007 (regulation by municipalities and counties), public.law Mirror of official text · colorado.public.law
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
- Website
- dfpc.colorado.gov
How bordering states compare
- Arizona Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyArizona allows sparklers, fountains and other ground devices, but bans aerial and exploding fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles.
- Kansas Aerial fireworks allowedKansas allows consumer fireworks, including aerial items, but bans bottle rockets statewide; cities and counties set use times and can ban fireworks.
- Nebraska Aerial fireworks allowedNebraska allows 1.4G consumer fireworks, including aerial items, but bans wire sparklers and limits retail sales to dates around July 4 and New Year's.
- New Mexico Aerial fireworks allowedNew Mexico lets the public buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial items and firecrackers, though cities and counties may ban those two groups.
- Oklahoma Aerial fireworks allowedOklahoma allows consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, and a 2026 law permits year-round sales and makes bottle rockets legal.
- Utah Aerial fireworks allowedUtah allows aerial cakes up to 500 grams and other common consumer fireworks, but bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and aerial shells.
- Wyoming Aerial fireworks allowedWyoming allows federally approved consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, unless a county or city bans them.