Front Range Officials and Veterans Urge Residents to Leave Fireworks to the Pros This July Fourth

With Independence Day just around the corner, communities across Colorado are gearing up for patriotic festivities filled with food, music, and dazzling fireworks displays. But while many celebrate with backyard booms, veterans and local authorities are pleading with residents to attend professional shows instead.

For combat veterans like U.S. Army veteran Lee Cooper, Larimer County’s veterans service officer, surprise fireworks can be deeply distressing. “Those large fireworks, when they surprise me, sound a lot like a mortar going off,” he said. “It triggers a physical and physiological response.” While Cooper said he’s okay with public displays when he knows they’re coming, unsanctioned fireworks in neighborhoods can lead to panic attacks and sleepless nights.

Others, like Vietnam veteran Lorrie McLaughlin of the Associated Veterans of Loveland, echoed these concerns. “That first reaction is to jump, move, get down — something like that,” she said, adding that many veterans she works with suffer from anxiety, PTSD, and flashbacks during the holiday.

Veterans aren’t the only ones affected. Fire Marshal Steve Gosselin of the North Metro Fire Rescue District reminds residents that most consumer fireworks are illegal in Colorado. This includes bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, and M-80s. Violators can face fines over $2,500 and possible jail time.

Fireworks are also a fire hazard. In 2023, 387 fires in Colorado were sparked by fireworks. Despite a wet spring, meteorologists warn that fire risk increases as temperatures rise. “As things warm up and dry out, that fire danger increases,” said David Barjenbruch with the National Weather Service in Boulder.

Professional displays take precautions that the average person can’t. At venues like the Colorado National Speedway, fireworks shows are approved and inspected by fire departments. “Fireworks are as unpredictable as anything,” said speedway GM Brian Laurence. “If anything goes wrong, we already have the trucks there to handle it.”

Fireworks Shows Around the Front Range

July 3

Berthoud: Waggoner Farm Park, 5–9:30 p.m. Live music, 27 food trucks, beer garden, fireworks at dusk.
Erie: Erie Community Park, 6–10 p.m. Food trucks, vendors, fireworks around 9 p.m.

July 4

Berthoud: TPC Colorado golf course, 7:30–10 p.m. Live music and fireworks. Free with ticket.
Boulder: No fireworks show.
Broomfield: Broomfield County Commons Park, 5 p.m. Inflatables, music, fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Denver: Fireworks at Coors Field after Rockies games and at Elitch Gardens around 9 p.m.
Estes Park: Fireworks over Lake Estes at 9:30 p.m. Live music, food, and drinks beforehand.
Firestone: Miners Park, parade at 10 a.m., festivities all day, fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Fort Collins: Events all day, fireworks from Sheldon Lake at 9:35 p.m.
Loveland: No fireworks show.
Greeley: Fireworks at Greeley Stampede and Greeley Country Club, both at 9:30 p.m.
Longmont: Concert and picnic at Roosevelt Park, drone show and fireworks in the evening.
Louisville: Coal Creek Golf Course, 5:30 p.m. shuttle service, fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Timnath: Timnath Reservoir, live music, fireworks synced to music at 9:30 p.m.
Wellington: Parade, festival, live music, fireworks by Bee Lake at 9:15 p.m.
Westminster: City Park, 4 p.m. live music and food, fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Windsor: Boardwalk Park, live bands all day, fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

With so many safe, community-oriented options available, veterans and fire officials alike urge residents to “leave it to the pros” this Fourth of July.

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