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Fireworks ban continues within Fort Collins city limits
June 28, 2014
TNT Fireworks stand spends its last year at this location off of E Mulberry st. in Fort Collins. Photo by Dina Alibrahim Fike
The Fourth of July returns this year with yet another fireworks ban within Fort Collins city limits.
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The law prohibits possession of or use of fireworks of any kind within the city of Fort Collins. Anyone who disregards the law can face a serious fine or even jail time.
“Consequences for using fireworks within city limits can result in fine of $2,650 or six months in jail,” said Rita Davis, the spokesperson for Fort Collins police services.
The ban is in place for safety reasons such as property damage, injury and death, according to a press release from the Poudre Valley Fire Authority. This is not the first time there has been the ban within city limits. The ban has been in place for the past couple decades and looks like it will continue.
Nationwide, more than 10,000 people seek medical attention for fireworks injuries and millions of dollars in damages are made every year, according to Patrick Love, spokesperson for the Poudre Valley Fire Authority.
For those who have an urge to light fireworks this Independence Day can do so just outside of city limits. Larimer County, under separate jurisdiction from Fort Collins city limits, complies with state law when it comes to fireworks.
According to state law, it is illegal to possess anything that explodes or leaves the ground, such as firecrackers like the M-80 firecracker. Sparklers and fountains are examples of tolerated fireworks that can be used in the city of Fort Collins.
Starting in August this year, the ban on possession and use of fireworks will include the surrounding areas outside of city limits.
“The latest international fire code passed by city council renews the current ban,” Love said. “Also, as far as unincorporated land within Poudre Valley Fire Authority jurisdiction, starting August 1 the same ban will be permanently put in place.”
Jurisdiction for Poudre Valley Fire Authority includes the entire city of Fort Collins and 25 miles surrounding the area.
The new ban that will take place in August is unfortunate for 14-year-old Matt Tillman, who manages the TNT fireworks stand just outside of city limits. He originally got into the business when he was 10-years -old to save extra money for vacation.Matt Tillman (right) and Brent Cozza (left) work the TNT fireworks stand. Photo by Dina Alibrahim Fike.
Tillman now puts the money earned from fireworks sales towards a college fund.He has another location in Longmont,which he plans to use for next Fourth of July season, when the new ban goes into effect.
“I disapprove of the ban,” Tillman said. “I feel like people will go up to Wyoming even more since they can’t buy fireworks within Poudre fire district.”
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