To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: John Christofferson, Acting County Attorney
Prepared By:
prepared
John Christofferson, Acting County Attorney
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presenter
Presenter: John Christofferson, Acting County Attorney
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Subject:
title
Adoption of Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 2026-02 (Fireworks)
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this General Business Item is to consider the adoption of proposed Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 2026-02, regarding a ban on the sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated Arapahoe County. This ordinance is the same as ordinances that have been adopted in prior years (under state statute a county fireworks ordinance is limited to a duration of one year).
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Safe and Healthy Communities - Advance public safety by strengthening partnerships across law enforcement, emergency response, and community stakeholders.
Background and Discussion: A first reading of this ordinance was held on April 14, 2026, and the text of the ordinance was published in full in the Colorado Community Media Newspapers on April 30, 2026, in conformance with statutory requirements.
For purposes of fire prevention in Arapahoe County, the ordinance as presented will ban the sale and use of fireworks for a period of one year; except that the ordinance will not be in effect during the May 31 to July 5 period unless the Board of County Commissioners adopts a resolution finding that there is high fire danger warranting the imposition of the ban during such period. In the event a resolution is adopted banning fireworks during the May 31 to July 5 period, such ban may be lifted if the Board subsequently determines that conditions have changed and there is no longer high fire danger.
The proposed ordinance provides that any person who violates the ordinance commits a civil infraction and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a fir...
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