Outdoor burning rules in Boulder County, CO — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
You cannot conduct open burning (slash, broadcast or pile burns) in unincorporated Boulder County without a permit, and you must give notice to the Sheriff's Office before starting. Agricultural burning is exempt from the permit but still requires prior notice. Apply through the county's Open Burning Portal.
Ordinance 2023-1 states "No Person shall commence Open Burning without a permit, except that Agricultural Burning does not require a permit," and separately "No person shall commence Open Burning, including Agricultural Burning, without first providing notice to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office prior to starting the fire." The Sheriff operates the online Open Burning permitting and notification system. Open burning is prohibited entirely during High Danger Conditions (Red Flag Warning, High Wind Warning/Watch, Fire Weather Watch). Rubbish burning (garbage, construction waste, tires) is banned at all times.
Violating Section III is a civil infraction: $250 first violation, $500 second, $1,000 each subsequent, plus the CRS 30-15-402 statutory surcharge.
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