Outdoor Cooking in Colorado (2026)
22 rules on the books across Colorado, 16 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
BBQ & Propane Rules
When you can use a propane or charcoal grill on a balcony, deck, or patio. Many fire codes prohibit propane on multi-family balconies; some cities ban charcoal anywhere within 10 feet of a building.
Broomfield
Significant RestrictionsBroomfield's Fire Code bans gas and charcoal grills on balconies, under overhangs, or within ten feet of a structure…
Read full rule →Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County's fire code bars gas or charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices from balconies, under…
Read full rule →Arvada
Some RestrictionsArvada's fire code bars charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices, including gas grills, from combustible…
Read full rule →Boulder County
Some RestrictionsGas and charcoal grills are legal in unincorporated Boulder County when no fire ban is in effect, but the ordinance…
Read full rule →Castle Rock
Some RestrictionsBackyard gas, charcoal, and propane grills are allowed and need no burn permit. Only UL-approved barbeque devices may…
Read full rule →Colorado Springs
Some RestrictionsFire Code Section 308.1.4 bars charcoal and solid-fuel burners and other open-flame cooking devices from combustible…
Read full rule →Douglas County
Some RestrictionsGas and propane grills are allowed at homes year-round, including during Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions…
Read full rule →Fountain
Some RestrictionsFountain's Section 9.44.020 burn-restriction table lets residents cook outdoors on wood, charcoal or propane grills…
Read full rule →Lakewood
Some RestrictionsWhen Lakewood, Colorado declares Stage I fire restrictions, propane and gas grills stay allowed, but charcoal barbecue…
Read full rule →Larimer County
Some RestrictionsCharcoal and wood grilling counts as a small cooking fire, allowed when contained and under 3 feet wide and 2 feet…
Read full rule →Manitou Springs
Some RestrictionsManitou Springs bars charcoal, solid-fuel, and other open-flame cooking devices from combustible balconies or within…
Read full rule →Weld County
Some RestrictionsA backyard barbecue counts as a recreational cooking fire and needs no burn permit in unincorporated Weld County…
Read full rule →Smoker Rules
Rules for backyard smokers, pellet grills, and wood-fired ovens including smoke-nuisance enforcement, time-of-day limits, and HOA restrictions.
Boulder County
Significant RestrictionsBoulder County Parks & Open Space bans campfires outright and allows charcoal fires only in grills or fireplaces the…
Read full rule →Castle Rock
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers are treated like other manufactured cooking devices and need no burn permit when using gas, charcoal…
Read full rule →Douglas County
Some RestrictionsGas and pellet/electric smokers are treated like gas grills and are allowed year-round, including during fire…
Read full rule →Lakewood
Some RestrictionsDuring declared Lakewood, Colorado fire restrictions, UL-listed wood pellet grills remain allowed, and portable outdoor…
Read full rule →Weld County
Some RestrictionsUsing a smoker to cook is a recreational cooking fire in Weld County and needs no burn permit. It must stay attended…
Read full rule →Broomfield
Light RestrictionsBroomfield's open burning ordinance defines outdoor cooking to include pellet and electric smokers and keeps charcoal…
Read full rule →Fort Collins
Light RestrictionsFort Collins exempts barbecue grills and food smokers from its general limits on burning solid fuel outdoors under City…
Read full rule →Littleton
Light RestrictionsLittleton Code Section 5-4-2 defines any outdoor liquid- or gas-fueled cooking appliance, including camp stoves, fire…
Read full rule →Parker
Light RestrictionsEven under a Parker Stage 1 Fire Ban, Section 6.06.070 lets residents keep using gas- or liquid-fueled grills, stoves…
Read full rule →Pueblo
Few RestrictionsPueblo's citywide open-burning ban exempts fires used to cook food outdoors, so a backyard smoker, grill, or fire pit…
Read full rule →