Despite a rainy few weeks, personal fireworks bans remain in place for most Front Range cities
Fourth of July celebrations are back with an even bigger bang this year, thanks to the last few weeks of heavy rain that have helped lift fire restrictions in many Front Range communities.
Even still, Colorado laws prohibit all personal fireworks that explode or leave the ground. Some examples, according to the North Metro Fire District, include bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, cherry bombs and M-80s. Those who use illegal fireworks are subject to fines of more than $2,500 and possible jail time.
Typically, if fire restrictions are in place or a Red Flag Day is in effect, no fireworks of any kind are allowed. Updated, county-by-county restrictions can be viewed at coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
All of the following events are free, all ages, open to the public and weather-permitting, unless otherwise noted. As a rule of thumb, be sure to leave your pets, booze, drones and weapons at home, and don’t forget to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Arvada
Independence Day fireworks return to Stenger Soccer Complex (entry at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street) on Tuesday, July 4, with food trucks but also propane grills allowed on site. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and West 58th will shut down to traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Accessible parking is available in Stenger’s northeast lot. arvadaco.gov
Aurora
The Aurora Municipal Center will again host the city’s Fourth of July Spectacular display, which takes place around 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Food trucks and nearly four hours of live music are planned. The fireworks display lasts 30 minutes at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Free on-site parking. auroragov.org
Berthoud
Berthoud’s Third of July festival will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 3, at the Berthoud Recreation Center. Live music, inflatables slides, a beer garden, face painting, lawn games and more, with fireworks at 9 p.m. Waggener Farm Park, 1000 Berthoud Parkway. berthoud.org
Brighton
The city of Brighton’s Fourth of July celebration takes over Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., starting at 5 p.m. on July 4. The evening will feature live entertainment, with DJ Tidal Wave and Those Crazy Nights, as well as food, kid’s entertainment and more. The fireworks display will follow at the end of the live performances. brightonco.gov
The sprawling Stars & Stripes event also returns the day before that, on July 3, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Rd. in Brighton. Food and beer vendors will begin serving at 4 p.m., with live entertainment from Thomas Mac at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. riverdaleregionalpark.org
Broomfield
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 4 in Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., and includes food, a beer garden, children’s carnival (with separate tickets) and the 17th annual all-ages bike parade. Kids are required to wear a helmet. Live music starting at 6 p.m. will lead into 9:15 p.m. fireworks. Limited parking on-site and additional parking available at Legacy High School, with shuttles available from 5 to 11 p.m. broomfield.org/611/July-4th
Commerce City
The Colorado Rapids’ popular 4thFest Celebration at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park returns with what organizers bill as the state’s largest display. The free event on July 4 opens before that day’s game against the Portland Timbers with an impressive array of family-friendly activities and entertainment. The soccer game at 7:30 p.m. costs money, but fireworks can be seen all around the stadium at 6000 Victory Way.
Returning this year: the Rapids Block Party Series, with a live DJ, drinks and more, as well as bike parking in the Burgundy Bike Lot, on the east side of the stadium between Gates B and C. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Parking lots are limited, and RTD bus and rail travel is encouraged. coloradorapids.com/4thfest
Denver
Downtown residents can celebrate the return of Civic Center‘s traditional Independence Eve on July 3 with live music from the Colorado Symphony and local artists, a light show on the City and Country Building, and fireworks around 9:15. Gates open at 5 p.m. and entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., with food trucks on-site. 101 E. 14th Ave. civiccenterpark.org
Coors Field will launch fireworks on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, following the nighttime Colorado Rockies games against the Detroit Tigers. The best views are obviously inside the stadium, but hanging out around Lower Downtown or adjacent urban neighborhoods never hurts. 2001 Blake St. mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/fireworks
Paid-admission visitors to Elitch Gardens theme park and nearby viewers will also get an up-front seat on July 3 as fireworks begin just before the park’s daily closing. 2000 Elitch Circle. elitchgardens.com/entertainment/fireworks
Englewood
Englewood’s family-friendly July 4 event, starting at 5 p.m., spans Belleview and Cornerstone parks in conjunction with the cities of Littleton and Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks & Recreation. It will feature kids’ activities and food trucks along with dusk fireworks. englewoodco.gov
Erie
This year’s fireworks display takes place at Erie Community Park (450 Powers St.) on July 3, with the fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center at 9:30 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. Limited parking is there starting at 7 p.m. erieco.gov
Firestone
The 21st Fourth at Firestone is back on July 4 with a parade and family-friendly activities at Miners Park — including booth vendors and food trucks — from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. At 4 p.m., Miners adds live music, a beer garden, and more food trucks, followed by the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. firestoneco.gov
Glendale
This early Independence Day celebration takes place on July 1 at Infinity Park, having jumped locations due to Creekside Park’s closure. Viewers can sit inside the stadium, in the stands or on the field, or on the turf field to the south of the stadium to view fireworks at 9:40 p.m. glendale.co.us
Golden
Lions Park Ballfields are the site of Golden’s annual July 4 — with the return of fireworks this year after a year off. The Golden Lions Club festival, starting at 11:30, leads up to the display with live music, food trucks, beer (Coors, naturally) and wine. 1300 10th St. visitgolden.com
Highlands Ranch
The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and run for a half-hour at Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St. Organizers recommend walking, biking or ride-sharing, as there will be no on-site parking. Visit hrcaonline.org for more.
Lafayette
Lafayette’s celebration will feature 4 to 10 p.m. festivities at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, including food, adult drinks, kids’ activities like face painting and bounce houses, live music, and the fireworks at dusk. lafayettecolorado.com/special-events
Littleton
The Red, White & You show returns to Clement Park this year with a 5-10 p.m. celebration that includes a kid’s zone, live music, food, beer and wine, and the 9:30 fireworks display south of the amphitheater. The rain or shine event will take place at 7306 W. Bowles Ave. ifoothills.org/events/red-white-and-you
Lone Tree
Lone Tree Elementary and Prairie Sky Park will host a full slate of activities on July 4, starting with the 9 a.m. Family Fun Ride and Stroll, followed by the Family Fun Park through 1 p.m. (free, but reservations are required). At 5 p.m., Party in the Park at Prairie Sky kicks off with live funk and R&B, followed by 9:30 p.m. fireworks. 9381 Crossington Way. cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4
Longmont
Longmont’s display is back at Fox Hill Country Club, 1400 CO-19 in Longmont, with food trucks opening at 4 p.m., The Long Run Band performing at 7 p.m., and the fireworks display around 9 to 9:15 p.m. Organizers also suggest nearby viewing areas such as Sandstone Ranch, Clark Centennial Park, Stephen Day Park and Jim Hamm Nature Area. longmontcolorado.gov
Louisville
Coal Creek Golf Course at 585 W. Dillon Road opens at 6 p.m. on July 4 food trucks, adult beverages, bounce houses, face painting, and patriotic music. Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m., and free shuttles are available starting at 5:30 p.m. at Louisville Recreation Center, 900 Via Appia Way, and Coal Creek Ace Hardware, 1343 E. South Boulder Road. louisvilleco.gov
Loveland
Loveland’s July 4 Festival and Fireworks will take over North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Ave., starting at 4 p.m. on July 4. Look for kids’ games and entertainment, a 4 p.m. bike parade, vendors and food trucks, summer-game competitions (cornhole, etc.), a beer garden, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. lovgov.org
Northglenn
Northglenn’s jam-packed July 4th Festival is back with the classic cars, duck derbies, live music, military recognition and picnics and kid’s activities. Food vendors and a beer garden, too. Noon-10 p.m. July 4 at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive. Fireworks will launch between 9 and 9:30 p.m. northglenn.org
Parker
Parker’s Stars and Stripes Celebration at Salisbury Park is taking a pause while the city invests in its Parker Fall Fest, organizers said online. But there will still be a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display that can be seen “throughout the community,” even if the show is “remote only” (i.e. without up-front seating). parkeronline.org
Thornton
The party starts at noon at Carpenter Park Fields (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 dusk fireworks. cityofthornton.net
Westminster
The Uncle Sam Splash Bash kicks things off from 1-3 p.m. at Countryside Outdoor Pool with water games, snow cones, cotton candy, and activities for the whole family. Westminster City Park (10455 N. Sheridan Blvd.) hosts this year’s main event, which begins at 4 p.m., followed by live music at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. There’s a free shuttle from various locations; see cityofwestminster.us for updates on shuttle schedules and routes.
By JOHN WENZEL | jwenzel@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
