Police caution against illegal fireworks

DENVER (KDVR) — Police and experts want everyone to stay safe and out of trouble on the Fourth of July holiday, especially when it comes to fireworks.

The types of fireworks that are legal in Colorado depend on where you live. However, a good rule of thumb is if a firework leaves the ground, it is not legal in the state.

Anyone caught using unpermitted fireworks could land in hot water.

If fireworks leave the ground, they’re illegal in Colorado

Business was booming Wednesday at Olde Glory Fireworks. Store owner Aeron Calkins said crowds will shop at the store between July 3 and the actual holiday, getting their goodies together as they prepare to celebrate.

Calkins said shoppers can trust the products they sell are legal.

“Low to the ground, ‘safe and sane,’ the fountains and the novelties and smoke and everything like that — but everything in this room is legal. It’s inspected, the labels are checked, they are tested prior. So everything in here you can know is safe and legal as long as your city or county allows,” Calkins said.

In Colorado, if a firework leaves the ground, it is illegal. In some places, like Denver, all fireworks are illegal. Douglas County still allows the use of fireworks that do not leave the ground, but they are asking neighbors to be careful using them.

“If you use other sorts of sparklers or small fireworks, we’re asking you to be extra careful. Because already this year, we have already seen several grass fires break out because of kids playing with fireworks,” said Deborah Takahara, public information director for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

What to do if you spot illegal fireworks

If you’ve lived in Colorado for some time, you know that people still use illegal fireworks. Police cannot issue a citation unless someone witnesses the fireworks being used.

Douglas County is opening a new hotline for neighbors to report incidents to law enforcement.

“We have extra dispatchers on duty as well tonight,” Takahara said on Wednesday. “We have a special hotline set up, a fireworks hotline, where people can call in if they see people using illegal fireworks so we can respond to those calls. Last year, we got hundreds of calls every single night through the Fourth of July weekend. So we are expecting it to be very busy.”

If you are looking to report an incident involving fireworks, remember not to call 911. Most police departments ask that you call their department’s non-emergency line. They also ask that you do not hold celebrations in the road.

If you live in Douglas County and want to report the use of illegal fireworks, call their hotline at 303-814-7118. The hotline will be active from Wednesday, July 3, at 6 p.m. through Saturday, July 6, at midnight.

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