2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Boulder County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Boulder 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...
Boulder County has no smoker-specific ordinance, but wood and charcoal smokers produce an open flame and are treated as "Open Fires" under Ordinance 2023-1. They are allowed when no fire ban is active and prohibited during High Danger Conditions or Stage 2 restrictions.
Boulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section I (Definitions)
Open Fire: Any outdoor fire, including, but not limited to... charcoal grill fires, wood pellet grills, fires in wood-burning stoves or grates...
1 cities in Boulder County have their own outdoor cooking rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Boulder County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Boulder County Ordinance Hub →