Colorado bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks statewide. Only "permissible fireworks" (fountains, sparklers, ground spinners) are legal, and even those become illegal in unincorporated Adams County during Sheriff-ordered fire restrictions.
Under Colorado law, only "permissible fireworks"—small ground-based devices like fountains and sparklers—may be used; firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, and any device that leaves the ground or explodes are illegal everywhere in the state. The Adams County Sheriff can suspend even permissible fireworks during Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restrictions. During the July 2026 Stage 2 order, all fireworks were banned in unincorporated Adams County except permitted professional displays. Individual cities (Brighton, Commerce City, Thornton, Northglenn) may impose their own bans, so always check the local ordinance where you live.
Using illegal fireworks is a class 3 misdemeanor under state law; violating a Sheriff fire-restriction order carries additional county penalties and fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Adams County, CO
Neglecting, abandoning or mistreating animals is unlawful in Adams County under its Animal Control Code and Colorado's cruelty statute. Officers may impound ...
Adams County, CO
Intentionally feeding big-game wildlife (deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain lions, bears and others) is illegal statewide in Colorado, carrying a $100 fine. Adam...
Adams County, CO
Adams County does not prohibit residential backyard composting. There is no county permit for a home compost pile in unincorporated areas, but a poorly kept ...
Adams County, CO
Adams County has no countywide ordinance banning or specifically regulating artificial turf on private residential yards in unincorporated areas. Homeowners ...
Adams County, CO
Adams County does not prohibit or mandate native plants for private residential yards. County landscape standards encourage preserving existing valuable vege...
Adams County, CO
Colorado law lets Adams County residents collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels with a combined capacity of 110 gallons. It is limited to single...
See how Adams County's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
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