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Because Colorado summers typically bring dry weather, heat and wildfires, it is important to know and obey the fireworks laws in Fort Collins on the Fourth of July and all season. Fireworks cause thousands on injuries every year, disrupt your neighbors, scare animals and could cost you a large fine. Finding a public display of fireworks to enjoy is always more safe and legal!

Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

Facts & Figures#

In 2019, the Poudre Fire Authority responded to a garage fire caused by fireworks stored in the garage, causing more than $150,000 in damage.

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2018 Annual Fireworks Report (published June 2019):

  • Fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2018, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • An estimated 5,600 fireworks-related injuries (or 62 percent of the total estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2018) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during a 1-month special study period between June 22, 2018 and July 22, 2018.
  • Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36 percent of the estimated injuries in 2018. Nearly half of the estimated emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age.
  • The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (an estimated 28 percent); legs (an estimated 24 percent); eyes (an estimated 19 percent); head, face, and ears (an estimated 15 percent); and arms (an estimated 4 percent).
  • Forty-four percent of the emergency department-treated injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to hands, fingers, and arms.

From the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control:

  • Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage. 

Curious about other police activity around the City? Check out the Fort Collins interactive Crime Map.