Personal fireworks illegal in city, but tickets are rare

If you have to light it, it’s illegal. That’s the long and short of it when it comes to personal fireworks in Colorado Springs.

Fireworks stands pop up every year in enclaves and along the city’s borders because the law is less restrictive in unincorporated El Paso County. Non-exploding fireworks that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are legal in the county.

The availability of illegal fireworks that accompany the Fourth of July celebration is a yearly headache for firefighters and police officers who have to deal with the fires, injuries and fights they cause.

“I wish you could do a ride-along with an officer on July Fourth,” police spokesman Sgt. Steve Noblitt said. “Every five minutes the dispatchers are airing report of fireworks.”
Still, fireworks are a low priority for patrolling officers, he said, which can cause friction with residents who expect police to enforce the law.

“If an officer is in the area and is able to stop they will check on it and tell whoever is setting them off to quit,” Noblitt said. “I can tell you, though, that tickets are rare.”

Last year, police received about 350 complaints of illegal fireworks. A citation requires a mandatory court appearance and carries a possible penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

From late June to mid-July last year, police issued one summons for a fireworks violation, Noblitt said.

While some view the ban as another government intrusion on a personal freedom, firefighters say it’s critical for preventing fires during hot dry summers — bottle rockets and Roman candles can start a grass fire or set a neighbor’s roof on fire.

Last year, 15 fires were caused by fireworks, resulting in about $45,000 worth of damage, Fire Department spokesman Lt. J.J. Halsey said. The number of injuries caused by fireworks isn’t available, he said, because people often don’t say how they were hurt when seeking treatment.

To encourage residents to dispose of illegal fireworks, all 20 of the city’s fire stations have drop-off boxes for illegal fireworks through July 7.