COMMERCE CITY — Tony Jaramillo is treated like a rock star in this city, and it’s based on one performance a year.
But what a show, said Mayor Paul Natale.
The talents of Jaramillo and the rest of the city’s parks department staffers will be on display again tonight, when they unleash Colorado’s largest fireworks presentation.
An estimated 1,500 shells — many measuring 10 inches wide and delivering a 1,000-foot spread of glittery, patriotic splendor — will be fired off during a 25-minute show shortly after the Colorado Rapids/New York Red Bulls pro soccer match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The $30,000 undertaking is the culmination of a fireworks plan pieced together in January that comes to an ear-rattling, hazy climax just to the north of the soccer stadium.
“The five minutes leading up to the show, my heart pounds because I’m so nervous,” said a grinning Jaramillo on Wednesday. “But when it’s over and everyone is happy, it’s so gratifying.”
Jaramillo overhears talk around the city of 35,000 about his last fireworks extravaganza.
“Last year, I was at a restaurant and a lady I didn’t even know came up to me and said, ‘Hey, you’re the fireworks guy,’ ” Jaramillo said. “That makes me happy.”
City officials say the fireworks show is the best in the state because of their relationship with the Rapids and the expertise of Jaramillo.
The Rapids pay for the display at a time when other cities and counties are cutting back on fireworks because of worries over fire danger and expense.
“For the longest time, people didn’t think much of Commerce City,” Natale said. “But when I get together with other mayors around the Front Range, it’s great because I can point to what Tony and his people do.”
Jaramillo is one of two city employees who are state-licensed fireworks display operators. That means Commerce City doesn’t have to pay extra for a contractor to come in and operate the display.
The area where the fireworks are set off is watered regularly and mowed, eliminating most worries about a spark causing a grass fire. Also on hand tonight will be several spotters, two water trucks and local firefighters ready to pounce on any wayward flame.
“We’re ready to handle just about anything,” said Steven Marrs, deputy fire marshal for the South Adams County Fire District.
The fireworks display is a centerpiece of the city’s 4th Fest, which features a festival and other activities that go from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Parking lots around the 18,000-seat Rapids soccer stadium and the neighboring Civic Center — 7887 E. 60th Ave. — open at 4 p.m. The family activities and parking for fireworks gawkers are free.
The sold-out Rapids game is scheduled to wrap up about 9:30 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
Jaramillo — who also is the city’s parks development supervisor — said when he began running the fireworks show 20 years ago, he only dealt with 300 shells that were shot off manually.
Now, the display is computer programmed and scripted to deliver the biggest bang in the state, Jaramillo said.
“Something has to be going up all the time,” Jaramillo said. “When I look up, I don’t want to see black sky.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
