Fireworks are selling well, even though most are illegal

Fireworks sales are sizzling this year in El Paso County.

Since the city canceled this year's Fourth of July event at Memorial Park for budget reasons, many residents are planning on a do-it-yourself celebration.

"There will be a lot more family shows this year," said Collins Fireworks manager Aleta Fields.

Sales volume is up 20 percent to 30 percent at the stand outside the city limits at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards, even though fireworks are, by and large, illegal in the region.

Colorado Springs police issued a statement Monday reminding residents of the law: Any fireworks that require a flame for ignition are illegal within city limits. That includes any gizmo with a fuse, such as sparklers, firecrackers, Roman candles, cherry bombs, bottle rockets and the black ashen snakes that quietly squirm on the sidewalk.

People caught using or possessing illegal fireworks could receive a summons to court and be fined up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

Regulations in unincorporated El Paso County are somewhat more lenient. Sparklers, fountains, smoke bombs, ground spinners and small spark-spitting toys are permitted. Fireworks that explode, shoot flames or fly through the air are not allowed.

Merrymaking in Colorado Springs is limited to snap pops that are thrown on the ground, and poppers that are launched by pulling a string. Flame-ignited fireworks also are illegal in Manitou Springs and Fountain.

"I tell customers it's on them to find out if it's legal in their area," Fields said. In some locales, the line between unincorporated and city jurisdictions twists and turns dramatically.

Wherever fireworks are used, legal or not, anyone firing pyrotechnics is responsible for damage they cause. If a fire starts, charges of arson apply.

Fire danger is predicted to rise from low to moderate over the holiday weekend, Colorado Springs Fire Department's wildland risk manager Christina Randall said in an e-mail to The Gazette.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department is offering people a chance to come clean. Illegal fireworks are accepted for anonymous drop-off at each of the city's 20 fire stations and department headquarters at 375 Printers Parkway through July 7.

Public fireworks displays

COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC SALUTE TO THE TROOPS: Traditional concert and fireworks, activities at 4 p.m., concert at 8 p.m., fireworks at dusk, Friday; Iron Horse Park at Fort Carson, Gate 1 from Highway 115; free, open to the public; csphilharmonic.org.

COLORADO SPRINGS SKY SOX INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: One Man Village People Act and fireworks after the game; 7:05 p.m. Saturday; Security Service Field, 4385 Tutt Blvd.; $7-$10; skysox.com.

TRI-LAKES FOURTH OF JULY: Pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., children's parade at 9:30 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., street fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Monument; music, food and activities at 3 p.m., fireworks at dark in Palmer Lake; free; trilakeschambercom.

BUFFALO BAR-B-Q AND FIREWORKS: Food, crafts and entertainment, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, fireworks 9:30 p.m. Saturday; Soda Springs Park, 900 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs; free; 685-9655 or 685-1444.

FIREWORKS AT FLYING HORSE COMMUNITY: 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Colorado 83 at Northgate Road; free; 785-3235.

FIREWORKS AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY: Family-oriented games and music by Blue Steel at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday; enter through North Gate, Exit 156-B off I-25; free, open to the public; www.usafa.af.mil.

FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: After races; gates open at 3:30 p.m.; El Paso County Speedway at the Fairgrounds, 366 Tenth St., Calhan; $8-$15; elpasocountyspeedway.com.

SYMPHONY ABOVE THE CLOUDS AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY: Florissant Jammers show at 5:30 p.m., Colorado Springs Philharmonic concert at 7:30 p.m. fireworks at dark Sunday; Woodland Park Middle School, 600 E. Kelly Road, Woodland Park; free; 575-9632.