Outdoor burning rules in Arapahoe 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.
Open burning in unincorporated Arapahoe County is regulated through a tiered burn ban system enforced by the Sheriff's Office. Stage 1 prohibits open burning without a fire district permit. Stage 2 prohibits virtually all outdoor fires except gas-fueled appliances.
Arapahoe County uses a three-tier system: no ban, Stage 1, and Stage 2. Under Stage 1, open burning of any kind without a fire district permit is prohibited, though fires in liquid-fueled stoves, charcoal grills for cooking that do not emit sparks, propane fire pits, and small recreational fires in permanent metal fire pits with flames under four feet are allowed. Under Stage 2, nearly all outdoor fires are prohibited including campfires, permanent fire pits, charcoal fires, warming fires, and prescribed burning of fields and fence lines. Stage 2 exemptions are limited to fires in habitable buildings and propane or natural gas grills and fire pits that produce no sparks or embers.
First offense $500, second offense $750, third and subsequent offenses $1,000. Additional charges may apply for fires causing property damage or injury.
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See how Arapahoe County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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