Fire Regulations in La Plata County, CO (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, sky lanterns are prohibited outright, and the Board of County Commissioners or the sheriff can add a ban on the use and sale of fireworks when they declare fire restrictions. Violating declared restrictions costs $500, $750 and $1,000 for a first, second and third or later offense.
Fireworks and Sky Lanterns in Unincorporated La Plata County, CO
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 34-1
Fireworks. Fireworks shall be defined as set forth in C.R.S. § 24-33.5-2001(5)(a). I ... ... V. Banned devices. The use or release of a sky lantern into the airspace of La Plata County is prohibited. ... Such fire restrictions shall pertain to any activity that produces or maintains, or attempts to produce or maintain, a spark, flame or any known ignition sources for open fires and may include ...
Outdoor Burning
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the Board of County Commissioners, the sheriff or the sheriff's designee can declare fire restrictions by resolution, and a National Weather Service red flag warning triggers stage 1 restrictions automatically. Violations cost $500, $750 and $1,000 for a first, second and third or later offense.
Open Fire Bans in Unincorporated La Plata County, CO
Significant RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 34-1
V. Declaration of fire restrictions. The board, the sheriff or the sheriff’s designee, upon competent evidence of high fire danger, is authorized to declare by resolution, fire restrictions or the rescission of fire restrictions, in all or portions of the unincorporated areas of the county. ... VI. ... Automatic fire restrictions. The board finds that red flag warnings, as designated by the Nat...
Wildfire Zones
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the Wildfire Resiliency Code applies only outside the boundaries of a fire protection district and never on federally or tribally owned lands. The county adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the state's Fire Intensity Classification map, effective June 17, 2026.
La Plata County Wildfire Resiliency Code Coverage Area
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 19-4
This chapter (which in all instances includes all incorporated aspects of the state’s model code adopted by the county) shall apply to the types of activities set forth in the state’s model code when such activities occur in the unincorporated areas of La Plata County that are outside the boundaries of a fire protection district, such areas being the exclusive areas of county authority and juri...
Smoke Detectors
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the county's amendment to Section R310.3 of the 2024 International Residential Code requires smoke alarms on the exterior of the sleeping area within 15 feet of each bedroom door. The rule sits in § 18-36 and took effect with Res. No. 2026-14 on 6/30/2026.
La Plata County Smoke Alarm Location Requirement
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-36(R310.3)
The volumes, parts, chapters, and appendices of the 2024 International Residential Code, as published by the International Code Council, together with the amendments, additions, and deletions as set forth in this section are hereby adopted pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-28-201(1). ... Section R310.3 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows: 2. Smoke alarms shall be installed on the ext...
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