5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in El Paso County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated El Paso County must use approved containers and comply with county fire restriction orders. During Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restrictions, fire pits are typically prohibited.
Unincorporated El Paso County allows state-permitted consumer fireworks (fountains, sparklers, ground spinners) but prohibits aerial and explosive fireworks. Fire bans triggered by high fire danger conditions can restrict or ban all fireworks.
El Paso County requires defensible space under the El Paso County Wildland-Urban Interface Ordinance. After the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire (346 homes) and 2013 Black Forest Fire (509 homes — the most destructive in CO history at the time), the county adopted WUI Code mandating 100-foot defensible space and ignition-resistant construction in designated hazard zones.
Outdoor burning in unincorporated El Paso County is regulated by the county and local fire authorities. Open burning requires conditions to be met and is subject to closure during fire restrictions issued by the Board of County Commissioners.
El Paso County enforces Wildland-Urban Interface defensible space requirements following the Waldo Canyon (2012) and Black Forest (2013) fires. 2018 IWUIC adopted. Zone 1 (0-30 ft), Zone 2 (30-100 ft), and Zone 3 (100-200 ft) treatments required in designated areas.
HB22-1007 (Assistance Landowner Wildfire Mitigation), Colorado General Assembly
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 with reviewing gr...
3 cities in El Paso County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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El Paso County Ordinance Hub →