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Larimer County, CO Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Larimer 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.

Key Facts

Permit
Required before any open burn
Setback
50+ feet from structures
Hours
Sun-up to sundown only
Wind limit
10 mph or less
Banned
During fire bans / Red Flag

Summary

You must obtain an open-burn permit from your fire protection district or the Sheriff's Office (plus an air-quality permit) before burning slash or vegetation on private land. All burning is banned during fire restrictions and Red Flag Warnings.

City-specific rules exist: Loveland, and Fort Collins have their own outdoor burning rules that differ from Larimer County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall conduct Open Burning on privately owned property within the unincorporated area of Larimer County, Colorado, without first having obtained an Open Burn Permit from the legally constituted Fire Protection District in which the property is located or from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The ordinance covers slash and vegetation pile and broadcast burning in the unincorporated county. A permit requires an air-quality permit first (from Larimer County Health for smaller burns, or CDPHE for larger ones). Burns must be at least 50 feet from structures, attended at all times, conducted only from sun-up to sundown, and only when winds are 10 mph or less; above 6,000 feet elevation, 3 or more inches of snow are required around the slash. Prohibited materials include trash, tires, plastics, treated wood, leaves and yard waste. No burning during any state or county fire ban or Red Flag Warning.

Violations & Fines

Knowing violation is a class 2 petty offense: $100 first, $250 second, $500 each later violation. Burning on a Red Flag Warning day: $500 first, $1,000 each subsequent, plus surcharges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an open-burn permit?
First obtain an air-quality permit (Larimer County Health for smaller burns, CDPHE for larger), then get an open-burn permit signed by your fire protection district or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Can I burn leaves and yard waste?
No. Routine yard and garden cleanup such as leaves, grass clippings, hay and old plants is prohibited from open burning under a permit, along with trash, treated wood and construction debris.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Larimer County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsWildfire ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Larimer County rules

How Larimer County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Larimer County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview

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Outdoor Burning in Cities Across Larimer County

Fort Collins, COLoveland, CO