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.
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.
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.
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