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 Pits & Backyard 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 ...
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
In Colorado Springs' wildland urban interface risk areas, the Wildfire Resiliency Requirements (Fire Code Appendix K, reordained by Ordinance 26-18) ban new plantings and require removal of shrubs, slash and woody debris within 5 feet of a structure, plus a 15-foot pruned clearance for evergreens within that range, enforced by the Fire Marshal under City Code § 8.4.105.
Colorado Springs Wildfire-Zone Brush and Tree Clearance
Significant RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 8.4.105, Appendix K §§ K108.1.1.3 & K108.1.2.1 (Wildfire Resiliency Requirements, Ord. 26-18)
K108.1.1.3 Plantings and Vegetation. Remove all vegetation including shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and other woody debris, and there shall be no planting of new vegetation in the immediate zone. Exceptions: 1. Low flammability vegetation as outlined on an approved list by the fire code official, is allowed in the Immediate Zone. 2. Existing character trees from prior to the implementation da...
Outdoor 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' amended Fire Code requires existing Group I-1 (institutional care) and Group R (residential) occupancies to carry single-station smoke alarms under IFC § 907.2.11, wired for interconnection and backup power under §§ 1103.8.2-.3. The Fire Marshal, within the Colorado Springs Fire Department, enforces this Chapter 11 existing-building retrofit rule under City Code § 8.4.105.
Colorado Springs Smoke Alarms in Existing Care Buildings
Some RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 8.4.105 (Fire Code Amendments), IFC § 1103.8.1
1103.8.1 Where required. Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms in accordance with Section 907.2.11. Interconnection and power sources shall be in accordance with Sections 1103.8.2 and 1103.8.3, respectively. Exception: Where smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system have been installed as a substitute for smoke alarms.
Propane Storage
Colorado Springs' amended Fire Code requires an operational permit before storing or using LP-gas once a single container tops 125 gallons water capacity or the combined capacity of multiple containers exceeds 125 gallons, under Section 105.5.29. Installing or modifying the tank system itself triggers a separate construction permit under Section 105.6.15 at the same threshold.
Colorado Springs LP-Gas Permit Required Above 125 Gallons
Some RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 8.4.105 (2021 IFC § 105.5.29, as locally amended)
105.5.29 LP-gas. An operational permit is required for: 1. Storage and use of LP-gas where a single container, cylinder, or tank is more than 125 gallons water capacity; or the aggregate capacity of containers is more than 125 gallons water capacity. Exception: A permit is not required for individual containers with a 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity or less or multiple container systems havi...
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