Outdoor Cooking in Boulder County, CO (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Gas and charcoal grills are legal in unincorporated Boulder County when no fire ban is in effect, but the ordinance classifies charcoal and wood-pellet grill fires as "Open Fires." During Stage 2 restrictions, charcoal and open-flame grilling is prohibited; gas grills are often still allowed under Stage 1.
Propane Grills and BBQ Rules
Some RestrictionsBoulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section I (Definitions)
Open Fire: Any outdoor fire, including, but not limited to... campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, wood pellet grills, fires in wood-burning stoves or grates...
Smoker Rules
Boulder County Parks & Open Space bans campfires outright and allows charcoal fires only in grills or fireplaces the department provides, or in a visitor's own portable grill or stove, inside designated picnic and camping areas. Fires must be attended and fully extinguished, and rangers can shut down all fires, charcoal included, by posted notice.
Charcoal Grills and Campfires in Boulder County Parks
Significant RestrictionsBoulder County Parks & Open Space Rules and Regulations (Resolution No. 2023-024), Rule 7(a)-(c) & Rule 32
7. Fire (a) Campfires are unlawful. Charcoal fires may be built only in established picnic and camping areas, and then only in grills and fireplaces provided by the department or in personal grills or stoves. All charcoal fires must be built in a safe manner and attended at all times. All charcoal fires must be properly extinguished and left in the provided grills. Exceptions may be granted onl...
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