To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Tyler S. Brown, Sheriff
Prepared By:
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Nathan Fogg, Director, Office of Emergency Management
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Subject:
title
Amended and Restated Ordinance 2026-03 - Open Fire Ban First Reading
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This item is a first reading on proposed Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 2026-3, which would amend and supersede the current ordinance 2000-02 governing the adoption and enforcement of fire bans in unincorporated Arapahoe County. Staff requests the Board approve the resolution setting the public hearing for June 23, 2026, and ordering that the proposed Ordinance be published in the Colorado Community Media newspapers at least ten days prior to the public hearing.
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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: The current 2000-2 Fire Ban Ordinance is 26 years old. It has been updated in a collaborative process with the County Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The updated ordinance reflects changes in Colorado statutes to require the Sheriff's Office to use competent scientific evidence as defined in the Colorado Revised Statutes before declaring a fire ban. The penalty section of the new ordinance is updated to reflect the current statute with respect to the penalty class, removing the Class 2 Petty Offense and providing for civil enforcement via the penalty assessment process in County Court. Additionally, the process for notifying the public about a fire ban is changed to posting information and restrictions promptly on the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office website. Given the increased fire danger throughout the state in recent years, the updated ordinance increases the fines associated with first and second offenses to provide a greater deterrent.
Alter...
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