Fireworks

Greeley municipal code makes a violation of the fireworks ordinance a misdemeanor offense, with a fine of $1000, plus any additional penalties assessed, which could include imprisonment. The Ordinance also adds an additional violation for when someone knowingly provides private property for the possession and use of illegal fireworks and the penalty is the same as listed above.

With Colorado’s often dry, hot and windy summer weather, wildfires are a concern for municipalities and counties across the state. Illegal possession, storage and use of prohibited fireworks cause thousands of injuries every year, create quality of life issues for your neighbors, frighten domestic animals as well as livestock, and could result in a hefty fine and legal consequences.

The volume of illegal fireworks activity in recent years has been significant. The Greeley Police Department receives illegal fireworks complaints from residents across the city. Illegal fireworks produce noise complaints, risk of personal injury and property damage, as well as quality of life issues for those in the area.

Some alarming facts and figures related to fireworks safety are:

• From June 15 to July 15 (2019 – 2021) the Greeley Police Department responded to 1,543 fireworks complaints throughout the city.
• During that time, the GPD wrote dozens of citations for unlawful use, possession and/or sale of illegal fireworks.
• 73% (1,124) of the complaints were between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
• Fireworks cause an estimated 19,500 fires in the U.S. each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
  • Approximately 28% of the fires started by fireworks each year are reported on July 4th.
• Hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 15,600 people for fireworks-related injuries in 2020 and 18 people died according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Burns accounted for 44% of the fireworks injuries seen around the 4th of July holiday.
  • Males account for 71% of the injuries and the 25-44 age range is most often injured.
  • 18% of the victims of fireworks injuries were under the age of 15.

To report an active fire, fireworks-related injury or other emergency, please call 911 immediately. Fireworks complaints may also be shared through the non-emergency dispatch line at 970-350-9600.

Another option to report hearing or seeing fireworks, please submit an online Crime Tip. This will document the date and time of the report and be forwarded to officers tasked with firework response and enforcement.

Submitting a formal complaint allows the department to effectively address problem areas in the city as they arise. Please understand that based on the existing call volume, staffing levels and the time-of-day, our officers may have an extended response time to the area of complaint.

There are two professional fireworks displays planned to start on July 4th at approximately 9:30 p.m. and open to all residents to enjoy.

1. Greeley Country Club
   4500 W. 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80634
2. Greeley Stampede
   501 N. 14th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631