There’s a familiar refrain amid the chorus of Fourth of July celebrations this year: Leave the fireworks to the professionals.
That’s the unified message from police and civic leaders as home fireworks use ramps up — particularly since there are plenty of free, large-scale displays planned for the metro area around the Independence Day holiday, which this year falls on a Tuesday.
As Christine M. Downs, public information officer for the Denver Police Department, told The Denver Post: “If you have to light it or ignite it, it’s illegal.” That includes sparklers, bottle rockets and Roman candles (pretty much anything loud or cool-looking).
That said, here’s where you can get your patriotic pyromaniac fix in a safe, officially approved way.
All of the following events are free, all-ages and open to the public unless otherwise noted. As a rule of thumb, plan to leave your pets and booze at home, and be sure to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray.
ARVADA
The city’s festival commission will take over–Lutz Ballfield and Stenger Sports Complex once again (entry at 58th Avenue and Oak Street) starting at 4 p.m. July 4 with food trucks and live entertainment. Face painters, bouncy houses, “sensory games,” human hamster balls and community vendors plan to offer family-friendly diversions. Fireworks begin around 10 p.m. arvadafestivals.com.
Outside of this official display, all fireworks are illegal within city limits, and fines can run up to $1,000 per infraction.–Call 720-898-6919 to report non-emergency fireworks use.
AURORA
The Aurora Municipal Center’s Great Lawn will host the city’s–“Fourth of July Spectacular,”—a 6-10 p.m. event on July 4 featuring—music, food and a fireworks display at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Visit—auroragov.org for a list of the city’s best—best fireworks viewings areas. Note: The new RTD R-Line is walking distance from the event site.
Residents can call 303-627-3100 for non-emergency police and fire reports.
BOULDER
“Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast,” a Boulder tradition since 1941, features 8:30 p.m. entertainment followed by fireworks at about–9:40 p.m. All events on July 4 are at CU’s Folsom Field. Free shuttles run from downtown and the Twenty Ninth Street mall beginning at 7:30 p.m.—wkre.com/boulder-4th-of-july.
Call 303-441-3333–to report illegal fireworks in Boulder.
BRIGHTON
A concert and fireworks display will take over Carmichael Park, located just behind Brighton City Hall, 500 S. 4th Ave., with entertainment from DJ Tidalwave starting at 5 p.m., and headliner Erica Brown with The Movers & Shakers at 7 p.m. Events — including kid’s activities and a laser show — run 4-10 p.m. July 4, with fireworks around 9:45 p.m.–brightonco.gov/817/4th-of-July.
Call the non-emergency dispatch line at–303-288-1535 to report illegal fireworks in Brighton, Northglenn and Adams County.
BROOMFIELD
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5:30 p.m. July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park and includes a children’s carnival ($3-$6 for pony rides and “inflatables”) and all-ages bike parade. Live a cappella music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:30 p.m. fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available–at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5-11 p.m.—broomfield.org/611/great-american-picnic.
Call–303-438-6400 to report illegal fireworks in Broomfield.
COMMERCE CITY
You don’t need to buy a ticket to the Colorado Rapids game July 4 to get a view of the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (which follows the game against the Seattle Sounders). They’re billed as the state’s largest and come as part of Commerce City’s 22nd annual 4th Fest, a free, family-friendly event (outside of Burgundy Boulevard) with karaoke, trampolines, disc–golf, human hamster balls, live music, food—and—drink and other diversions. Game and main events at—6000 Victory Way. 5-9 p.m. coloradorapids.com.
Call 303-288-1535 to report illegal fireworks in Commerce City.
DENVER
The annual Independence Eve celebration at Civic Center offers first-come, first-served lawn seating for its free concert (i.e.–blankets and chairs) with Soul X and the 101st Army Band of the Colorado National Guard,—a City and County Building light show and the 8 p.m. fireworks display July 3. civiccenterconservancy.org.On July 4 on the other side of downtown,—Elitch Gardens will offer a dusk fireworks display visible from the surrounding areas, while the Denver Outlaws game at Mile High Stadium (against the Atlanta Blaze) will be followed by fireworks. denver.org.
Call–720-913-2000 to report illegal fireworks use in Denver.
ENGLEWOOD
This family-friendly July 4 event, starting at 3 p.m., spans–Belleview and Cornerstone parks, featuring a pirate’s cove, miniature train and kiddie—farm ($1.75 per go-round). Food, batting cages, miniature golf and more round out the perks,—with 9:30 p.m. fireworks.—englewoodgov.org.
Call–303-761-7410 to report illegal fireworks in Englewood.
ERIE
For those looking to get more than one fireworks display in the bag, the Erie-Vista Extravaganza–also—takes place July 3 at Colorado National Golf Club, 2700 Vista Parkway. Activities begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks at dusk.—erieco.gov.
Call Boulder County Dispatch at 303-441-4444 to report illegal fireworks in Erie.
GOLDEN
Lions Park Ballfields plays host to this city’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks display July 4, which is more vulnerable to wind-related cancellation based on Golden’s proximity to open spaces. (Don’t worry: If it’s canceled, it will be rescheduled.) A noon-11 p.m. festival leads up to the display with rides, face painting, live music and food/drinks. 1300 10th St.–visitgolden.com/4th-of-july.
Call 303-384-8045 to report illegal fireworks in Golden.
GREELEY
There’s no shortage of Fourth of July activities in Greeley, including the fireworks display during the city’s huge, 96th annual Stampede rodeo (at 9:30 p.m. on July 4). The displays will be shot over the northwest corner of Island Grove Park, with “great views from anywhere” close to the park, according to greeleystampede.org. Earlier in the day, check out the Independence Day parade that winds from the University of Northern Colorado to downtown Greeley along 10th Avenue.
GLENDALE
“You only turn 241 once,” proclaims Four Mile Historic Park’s website. The location is offering fireworks a few days early on Saturday, July 1 as part of its old-timey Independence Celebration. The 5-10 p.m. event–includes historic—games, demonstrations, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides and more, along with fireworks after 9 p.m. Food trucks and a beer garden will be on site at 715 S. Forest St.—fourmilepark.org/events.
Call 303-759-1511 to report illegal fireworks in Glendale.
FORT COLLINS
The city’s July 4 celebration includes a 10 a.m. parade along Mountain Avenue and a celebration at City Park with live music beginning at 4:15 p.m. The fireworks are set to begin about 9:35 p.m. over Sheldon Lake.–Pets, alcohol, smoking and personal fireworks are not permitted in City Park. For a complete list of Fourth of July community activities, go to fcgov.com/july4th.
Use of all fireworks is illegal — including sparklers and snakes.–Possession and storage of fireworks is also prohibited. A violation could result in a fine up to $2,750.—Representatives from Fort Collins Police Services and Poudre Fire Authority will be out on fireworks patrol on and around July 4. Call 970-221-6540—to report illegal fireworks.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Can’t wait until July 4 and live in Jefferson County? Head to Littleton’s–Red, White &—You event from 5 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Clement Park (7306 W. Bowles Ave.). Food, adult beverages, exhibitor booths, the Wash Park Band and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show round out the event.—ifoothills.org/events. Also for JeffCo: Bandimere Speedway’s—Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival on July 1, which costs $15-$58 (children 5 and under are free) with $10 parking, but which will be easy to view—from almost anywhere in Morrison or along C-470. bandimere.com.
Jefferson County’s Fire Information Hotline includes fireworks-violation reporting at 303-271-8200.
LAFAYETTE
Chris Daniels & the Kings will return to open this 4-10 p.m. July 4 event at–Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive in Lafayette. The music, face painting and 9:30 p.m. fireworks are free, but fees apply for food, beer and kid-friendly inflatables—and—pony rides. No shuttle service.—lafayettecolorado.com.
Call–303-665-5571 to report illegal fireworks in Lafayette.
LONGMONT
While the closest seats to–Longmont’s 9:30 p.m. fireworks show July 4 undoubtedly will be at Boulder County Fairgrounds (9595 Nelson Road), the city also suggests—parking at a nearby shopping center and walking to the fenced area in front of Jack Murphy Arena, or watching from anywhere within a mile of the fairgrounds. The Longmont Symphony Orchestra will also perform for free starting at 11 a.m.—in Thompson Park, at 4th Avenue at Bross Street. Handicap-accessible parking is available at the fairground’s Nelson Road (south side of facility) entrance. longmontcolorado.gov.
Call–303-651-8501 to report illegal fireworks in Longmont.
LOUISVILLE
Coal Creek Golf Course will host Louisville’s July 4 festivities from 6-10 p.m., including live music, food trucks and concessions, a bouncy castle, games, free face painting and more. While–no parking is available at the golf course, free shuttles will be provided 6-11 p.m. from the Louisville Recreation Center and Home Depot parking lots.—louisvilleco.gov.
Call Boulder County Dispatch at–303-441-4444 to report illegal fireworks in Louisville and Nederland.
NORTHGLENN
Wake up early for Northglenn’s 4th of July Family Festival, which begins at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast followed by a 4-mile run, the Pedals and Paws–Parade, kids fun area, car show, live music and bake sale. Food and community booths open at noon, while fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at Webster Lake in E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park across from City Hall, 11801 Community Center Dr.—northglenn.org/july4th.
Call 303-288-1535–to report illegal fireworks use in Northglenn.
PARK HILL
While there may not be a proper fireworks display–in Denver’s tree-lined Park Hill, there is a charming, Norman Rockwellesque parade. The eighth annual event, which begins at 1:30 p.m. on July 4, stretches from Dexter to Krameria Street on 23rd Avenue and ends with a 3 p.m. street fair on the—2200 block of Kearney Street featuring food, music and kids activities.—parkhillparade.org.
Call–720-913-2000 to report illegal fireworks in Park Hill, North Park Hill and Northeast Park Hill.
PARKER
Parker’s Stars and Stripes Celebration–event takes place 6-10 p.m. July 4, offering free—bounce houses and inflatable activities, local food, live ’80s tribute music from the Six Million Dollar Band (6-9:15 p.m.), and what the city is calling “Parker’s biggest and best fireworks display to date,” around 9:30 p.m. at Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road.—parkeronline.org.
Call–303-841-9800 to report illegal fireworks in Parker.
THORNTON
Family activities begin at 4 p.m. at Carpenter Park (11000 Colorado Blvd.) with food and drinks, live music, a presentation of colors and more. Paved and unpaved parking is available in the lots south of the Carpenter Park Fields and west of 108th Avenue. And don’t miss the annual tradition of the nighttime parachutists, who will herald the fireworks. cityofthornton.net.
Call 720-977-5150–to report illegal fireworks in Thornton.
WESTMINSTER
The usual lineup of kids’ activities and food vendors will lead up to the 9:15 p.m. fireworks show on July 4 at City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd.–Parking is limited, and organizers recommend using a free shuttle from various locations in Westminster and Hyland Hills. ci.westminster.co.us.
Call–303-658-4360 to report non-emergency fireworks use in Westminster.