This is not the year for people to push their luck using fireworks in Colorado.
Police and fire officials say their zero-tolerance policies will result in more tickets and fewer warnings as even firework possession is against the law.
“Fireworks of any kind, even sparklers and snakes, are illegal in Lakewood — period,” said Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis.
Lakewood and other cities have adopted prohibitions stricter than the executive order issued by Gov. John Hickenlooper banning fireworks and open burning across the state.
“Not only is it against the law to buy or use them in Lakewood, it is illegal to possess them, and we will be really cracking down this year,” Davis said.
Lakewood police will have additional units working nothing but firework detail, he said. “In the past, we have had more of a warning mood, but that will not be the case this year.”
Fines for range from $300 to $1,000, Davis said.
Lakewood police issued seven citations last year; officials expect that number to jump this year.
Possession of any fireworks is also illegal within city limits of Denver and Aurora, officials said.
Denver Fire Department spokesman Steve Garrod said both fire and police have a heightened level of concern for fireworks usage this summer.
“It’s not just a matter of avoiding fires, but also that of safety,” he said. “You never know where some of those things are going to go once they leave the ground.”
Denver police issued 52 citations last year, officials said. Violators face up to a $999 fine and 180 days in jail.
Aurora, too, will have extra people looking for nothing but fireworks violations. “We try to really crack down every year, but this year especially because of the fire ban and the incredibly dry, windy conditions,” said Aurora Fire spokesman Allen Robnett.
Aurora issued 103 citations for fireworks around the Fourth of July last year, Robnett said.
In Grand Junction, only lighting fireworks is against the law, police spokeswoman Kate Porras said. However, for the first time police will have more officers handling fireworks complaints, Porras said. “That is being done because of the fires.”