Fire Regulations in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Colorado Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Colorado Springs allows any outdoor fire contained in a portable or fixed fireplace, fire pit, or appliance. At a single-family home there is no setback from your own structure, but a portable outdoor fireplace may not be operated within 15 feet of a neighboring structure or combustible material, and the fire must be constantly attended.
Fire pits and portable fireplaces allowed with setbacks
Some RestrictionsCity of Colorado Springs Fire Department, Outdoor Burning Guidelines (implementing 2021 IFC Section 307 as adopted by City Code 8.4.105)
Portable Outdoor Fireplaces: Any outdoor fire where the fire is contained in a portable or fixed fireplace/appliance. If you live in a single-family home, you may operate portable outdoor fireplaces with no minimum distance requirement from your structure or combustible material. However, they may not be operated within 15 ft. of a neighboring structure or combustible material, such as a tree, ...
Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal in Colorado Springs. All types of fireworks with a fuse and/or requiring a flame for ignition are unlawful; only novelty items such as snappers and poppers are allowed. Violations carry a fine up to $2,500 and/or up to 189 days in jail, and Colorado state law separately bans possession or discharge of any non-permissible fireworks statewide.
All fuse and flame fireworks illegal; only novelties allowed
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Colorado Springs Fire Department, Fireworks Safety
All types of fireworks with a fuse and/or requiring a flame for ignition are illegal in Colorado Springs. Only novelty items (snappers and poppers) are allowed. Possession, use and/or sale of fireworks is subject to a fine up to $2,500 and/or up-to 189 days in jail. A fire started by a firework that threatens or damages property is a crime of arson. All citations will demand a mandatory court a...
Brush Clearance
Colorado Springs imposes strict defensible space requirements under the Wildfire Mitigation Program, mandating 30 to 100 feet of vegetation management around structures in designated Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zones. Zone 1 (0 to 5 feet) must be non-combustible, Zone 2 (5 to 30 feet) must have thinned and limbed vegetation, and Zone 3 (30 to 100 feet or to property line) requires reduced fuel loads.
Fire: Brush Clearance
Heavy RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Open burning is never allowed by non-governmental entities within the Colorado Springs city limits. Burning trash, rubbish, yard clippings, or construction materials is prohibited at all times. Recreational fires and bonfires are the only permitted outdoor fires, subject to clearance rules and permits.
Open burning of trash and yard waste never allowed
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Colorado Springs Fire Department, Outdoor Burning Guidelines (implementing 2021 IFC Section 307 as adopted by City Code 8.4.105)
Open burning is never allowed by non-governmental entities in the city limits of Colorado Springs. The burning of trash, rubbish, yard clippings, or construction materials is never allowed in the city limits of Colorado Springs.
Wildfire Zones
Large portions of western and northern Colorado Springs fall in Very High and Extreme wildfire hazard zones under the Colorado Springs Wildfire Hazard Identification Mapping. Mountain Shadows, Skyway, Broadmoor, Cedar Heights, Rockrimmon, and Black Forest adjacent areas are mapped WUI. Insurance carriers use these maps in underwriting and many carriers have non-renewed foothill policies since 2020.
Fire: Wildfire Zones
Heavy RestrictionsColo. HB 22-1007 (Wildfire Mitigation Resources Grant Program)
Bill Summary: The act establishes the wildfire mitigation resources and best practices grant program (grant program) within the Colorado state forest service (forest service). To be eligible to receive a grant, a recipient must be an agency of local government, a county, a municipality, a special district, a tribal agency or program, or a nonprofit organization. The forest service is tasked wit...
Smoke Detectors
Colorado Springs requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of all dwellings under the adopted International Fire Code and Colorado state law (CRS 38-45-103). Carbon monoxide alarms are also required within 15 feet of every sleeping area in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. Hardwired interconnected units are required in new construction.
Fire: Smoke Detectors
Some RestrictionsBackyard Fires
A backyard recreational fire (any outdoor fire or campfire not contained in a portable or fixed appliance) is allowed without a permit but must have 25 feet of clearance from combustible structures, fences, or vegetation, cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, must use wood as the only fuel, and must be constantly attended.
Recreational fires need 25-ft clearance and wood-only fuel
Some RestrictionsCity of Colorado Springs Fire Department, Outdoor Burning Guidelines (implementing 2021 IFC Section 307.4.2 as adopted by City Code 8.4.105)
Recreational Fires: Any outdoor fire or campfire where the fire is not contained in a portable or fixed fireplace or appliance. Must have 25 feet of clearance from combustible structures, fences or vegetation. Cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Wood is the only allowable fuel. Recreational fire must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible materials and must ...
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