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.
Northglenn, CO
Northglenn's Unified Development Ordinance (Article 11-4) caps single-family driveways at 40% of the lot width and 50% of the front-yard area, with no single...
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...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Adams County.
See how other cities in Adams County handle fireworks.
See how Northglenn's fireworks rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.