Boulder County, CO Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Charcoal grill status
- Open Fire under ordinance
- Gas grills
- Usually OK under Stage 1
- Stage 2 ban
- No charcoal or open flame
- Propane cylinders
- Store outdoors, upright
- Fine during ban
- $500 first offense
Summary
Gas and charcoal grills are legal in unincorporated Boulder County when no fire ban is in effect, but the ordinance classifies charcoal and wood-pellet grill fires as "Open Fires." During Stage 2 restrictions, charcoal and open-flame grilling is prohibited; gas grills are often still allowed under Stage 1.
Open Fire: Any outdoor fire, including, but not limited to... campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, wood pellet grills, fires in wood-burning stoves or grates...
Full Breakdown
Ordinance 2023-1 defines Open Fire to include "charcoal grill fires, wood pellet grills." That means during a declared fire ban or High Danger Conditions, charcoal and pellet grilling is prohibited outdoors. Propane (gas) grills are generally permitted under Stage 1 restrictions because the flame can be controlled and shut off, but Stage 2 typically bans all open-flame cooking outside on private and public land. Propane cylinders for grills should be stored outdoors, upright, away from combustibles. Always check the current Sheriff restriction stage before grilling with charcoal.
Violations & Fines
Grilling with a prohibited open flame during a ban is a civil infraction under Section II: $500 first offense, escalating to $1,000, plus fire-response reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a charcoal BBQ during a Boulder County fire ban?
Are gas grills allowed during fire restrictions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado outdoor cooking overview
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