Boulder County, CO Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Boulder County, CO, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Backyard fire status
- Open Fire under ordinance
- Allowed
- Only when no ban
- Duty before lighting
- Check NWS conditions
- During High Danger
- All open flame banned
- First-offense fine
- $500
Summary
Backyard fires, campfires and warming fires are "Open Fires" under county ordinance and are allowed only when no fire ban is declared. During High Danger Conditions or a Stage 1/Stage 2 restriction, all open flames are prohibited in unincorporated Boulder County.
During High Danger Conditions, no Person shall: 1. Engage in any activity that produces or maintains, or attempts to produce or maintain, spark, flame, or other ignition source for an Open Fire; or 2. Sell or use Fireworks.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance 2023-1 defines an Open Fire to include campfires and warming fires. Under the ban provision, during High Danger Conditions "no Person shall engage in any activity that produces or maintains, or attempts to produce or maintain, spark, flame, or other ignition source for an Open Fire." Given the county's wildfire exposure, fire bans are in place for much of each summer, so a legal backyard fire is often the exception rather than the rule. Before lighting any fire, the ordinance requires you to confirm High Danger Conditions are not in effect by checking the NWS website or another reliable source.
Violations & Fines
A civil infraction under Section II: $500 first offense, $750 second, $1,000 subsequent, plus reimbursement of any fire-response costs if a wildfire results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are backyard campfires legal in unincorporated Boulder County?
Do I have to check conditions before lighting a fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
How Boulder County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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