Adams County, CO Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Adams 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
- Open fires
- Unlawful in all county parks, trails, open space
- Charcoal fires
- Allowed only in designated picnic grills
- Propane/generators
- Permitted; generators need a protective base
- Fine
- $100 civil infraction per violation
- Adopted
- Resolution 2022-649, effective December 6, 2022
Summary
Open fires, including campfires, are unlawful across every Adams County park, trail and open space area under Resolution 2022-649. Charcoal fires are allowed only in provided picnic grills, propane grills and gas generators are permitted if placed on a protective base, and any fire that endangers people or damages natural resources violates the rule regardless of permission.
Open fires, including campfires, are unlawful on all Adams County parks, trails, and open space areas. Exceptions to this Rule may be granted only with permission from the Adams County POSCA Department Director. ... Any fires built within Adams County parks, trails, or open space areas may not be permitted to burn in a manner which, through carelessness or negligence, places the safety of persons at risk or results in natural resource damage. ... Violation of any other Rule or Regulation adopted herein shall be a Civil Infraction as provided for in C.R.S. § 29-7-101(2), as amended, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per violation (as required by C.R.S. § 16-2.3-102(1)(a)), plus any applicable fees and surcharges, or as otherwise provided by law.
Full Breakdown
§ 18-9-117 and § 29-7-101(2), bans open fires, including campfires, on all Adams County parks, trails and open space areas; the POSCA Department Director may grant an exception only by advance permission. Charcoal fires are limited to designated picnic grills, with residue left in the provided grill, and propane grills and gas generators are allowed but generators must sit on a wooden or similar base to protect turf. Every charcoal fire must be fully extinguished as soon as possible after grilling. Rule 2(d) requires all park visitors to comply with any state or local fire ban or restriction in effect, and Rule 2(e) makes it unlawful for any fire built in a county park, trail or open space area to be allowed to burn, through carelessness or negligence, in a way that endangers people or damages natural resources. § 29-7-101(2) carrying a $100 fine per violation plus fees and surcharges, in addition to possible ejection from the property.
Violations & Fines
Building an open campfire, leaving charcoal ash outside a picnic grill, or letting any authorized fire burn out of control on county park, trail or open space property is a civil infraction under C.R.S. § 29-7-101(2). A Park Ranger or deputy can cite the offender for $100 per violation plus fees and surcharges under C.R.S. § 16-2.3-102(1)(a), and the county can eject anyone violating the fire rules from the property on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a campfire in an Adams County park?
Are charcoal grills allowed at Adams County parks?
What is the penalty for an illegal fire in a county park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Adams County
How Adams County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Adams County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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