Douglas County, CO Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Gas/pellet/electric smokers
- Allowed year-round
- Charcoal/wood smokers
- Allowed if adult-supervised
- Supervisor age
- At least 18 years old
- Stage 2 gas appliances
- Still allowed
- Ash disposal
- Cool fully before discarding
Summary
Gas and pellet/electric smokers are treated like gas grills and are allowed year-round, including during fire restrictions. Charcoal and wood-fired smokers count as solid-fuel fires; they are allowed under Stage 1 and Stage 2 only when supervised by a responsible adult 18 or older.
Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, grills, fire pits or other gas or liquid fueled appliance.
Full Breakdown
Douglas County has no smoker-specific ordinance; smokers fall under its fire-restriction rules by fuel type. Gas- and liquid-fueled smokers, and pellet or electric units, are handled like gas grills and remain allowed even in Stage 2, when the County permits "fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, grills, fire pits or other gas or liquid fueled appliance." Charcoal and wood-burning smokers are solid-fuel devices; the County allows "residential use of charcoal grill fires when such use is supervised by a responsible party at least 18 years of age," so a supervised charcoal smoker is permitted, but stricter local fire orders can suspend solid-fuel cooking. Keep smokers away from structures and combustible surfaces and dispose of ash cold.
Violations & Fines
An unattended or non-compliant solid-fuel smoker during restrictions can be cited as a Class 2 Petty Offense, up to $1,000 fine plus $10 surcharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a charcoal or wood smoker during a fire ban?
Are pellet and gas smokers restricted?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Colorado outdoor cooking overview
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