Summit County, CO Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Fireworks in Summit County are layered: state law, federal forest law, county fire-restriction orders, and town codes. Under Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-2001, 'permissible fireworks' are limited to small ground-based devices that do not rise into the air, do not explode, and produce only visual effects (cylindrical and cone fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches, dipped sticks, sparklers, snakes, smoke devices, and toy caps). Aerial devices (skyrockets, bottle rockets, missiles, helicopters), audible ground devices (firecrackers, M-80s, salutes), Roman candles, and reloadable shells are illegal anywhere in Colorado, regardless of where purchased. CRS 24-33.5-2002 makes the use, sale, possession with intent to use, or display of non-permissible fireworks unlawful, and CRS 24-33.5-2003 lets local governments adopt stricter rules, which Summit County and its towns have done. Approximately 80 percent of Summit County's land area is White River National Forest. Under 36 CFR 261.52(h), 'possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or pyrotechnic device' is prohibited on National Forest System lands at all times, with no July 4 exception. The Forest also issues seasonal Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire-restriction orders that add bans on campfires, smoking, and chainsaws. The Summit County Sheriff and Board of County Commissioners impose Stage 1 fire restrictions when wildfire danger is high to extreme; Stage 1 bans the use and sale of fireworks (including permissible items), exploding targets, and tracer ammunition in unincorporated Summit County. Stage 2 restrictions impose a near-total ban on outdoor ignition sources. Breckenridge Town Code 6-3C-11 makes it unlawful to sell, possess, use, discharge, or explode any fireworks (including permissible fireworks) within town limits, with a narrow exception for permissible fireworks possessed and used between July 3 and July 5 of each year; the town manager may suspend even that window by emergency proclamation. Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Blue River have similar municipal bans. Public displays anywhere in the county must be conducted by a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) licensed display operator under 8 CCR 1507-12, with a permit from the local fire authority (Summit Fire & EMS or Red, White & Blue Fire) and a state DFPC permit, plus liability insurance.