A statewide ban on the use of fireworks does not prevent licensed retailers from selling them in counties that allow it. Unincorporated Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties allow the sale of fireworks by licensed stands and stores. However, the use of fireworks is illegal under the statewide ban.
That’s making the run-up to July 4 tough for retailers such as Brent Hinton, owner of Davey Jones fireworks on Federal Boulevard in Adams County.
“If we have to take it on the chin this year, we’ll take it on the chin,” Hinton said. “It affects us big-time.”
Hinton estimated that his store will see a decline in sales of 80 to 90 percent. He said the whole industry will be hurting and that he has noticed stands are getting a later start than normal.
In business for more than 20 years, Hinton said he’s looking to weather the storm this year and improve next year. He said he’s telling customers who are buying to be responsible and accountable.
Boulder and Larimer counties have prohibited the sale of fireworks in unincorporated areas this year, and the city and county of Denver bans fireworks sales. But at least one city, Longmont, has bucked the state ban and is allowing legal fireworks on private property.
Aeron Calkins, owner of Olde Glory Fireworks, with two Adams County locations, closed his stand in the city of Parker. He said he won’t know the impact of the ban until right before the Fourth of July.
“Everyone buys at the end,” Calkins said. “It will be devastating, for sure, but we don’t do most business until the third or fourth.”
Calkins said the real battle is trying to educate the public on how fireworks should be used.
“Really, it’s educating the public on these items,” Calkins said. “They don’t cause the fires. There are numerous sheriff’s departments that understand that and agree with us — that’s why some cities are allowing it.”
Longmont has reversed the state’s ban. The sale and use of small fireworks, such as sparklers and snakes, are legal on private property in the city.
In Denver, the “possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks are prohibited,” according to the Denver Fire Department website. The Denver ban has been in place for several years.
The maximum punishment is a fine of $999 and up to a year in jail.
Bryan Leiran, senior sales representative of the Rocky Mountain region for Lantis Fireworks, said authorities are looking to put fireworks in the hands of the professionals.
Lantis Fireworks provides fireworks and laser shows for events and big cities.
“I think it’s created some direct impact and put fear into the cities,” Leiran said, “but they are seeing it as a greater avenue, saying ‘Let’s provide shows with a license, let’s bring everyone into the festival, but let’s ban the consumer fireworks.’ ”
Kevin C. Keller: 303-954-5224 or kkeller@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporter’s error, the story contained incorrect information about whether sales were allowed in Douglas County.
