Old news - Commissioners lifted fire restrictions - 2020

Governor Polis enacted State-wide restrictions effective August 19, 2020.

The Governor's fire restrictions include the following:

  • Any outdoor fire except as specifically allowed below, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, and charcoal grill fires;
  • Fireworks;
  • Explosives;
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least six (6) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material;
  • Operating a chainsaw without a United States Department of Agriculture or Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator, and one (1) round point shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-five (35) inches readily available for use;
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least ten (10) feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher;
  • The use of tracer ammunition or any ammunition with an incendiary component, and the use of novel explosive shooting targets with Tannerite or other similar substances, that would explode and create heat or fire upon impact; and
  • Any other activity that poses a significant risk of starting a fire.

The fire restrictions in this Executive Order do not include fires in:

  • Liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves;
  • Fireplaces contained within buildings;
  • Charcoal grills at private residences;
  • Constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed camp and picnic grounds or recreation sites;
  • Portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel, or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a one-quarter (0.25) inch spark arrester type screen; and
  • Fires in connection with prescribed or controlled burns for agricultural or irrigation purposes along ditches located within and completely surrounded by irrigated farmlands where such burning is necessary for crop survival and where specific written approval has been granted by the sheriff of the county where the prescribed burn will occur.