Growing up, we had made the annual pilgrimage to Wyoming by the last week in June, and returned with an armful of roman candles, firecrackers, and other illegal fireworks that we would light come sunset on July 4th.
Nothing declares independence like a little rebellion. Even in colonial times, fireworks were popular. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776, that he believed Independence Day would be 鈥渃elebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations [fireworks] from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.鈥�
Back in the 1980s and early ’90s, our whole block in Littleton enjoyed sidewalk and backyard illuminations on a grand scale. But by 10 p.m., everyone expected an end to the rockets鈥� red glare and earsplitting percussion. Only the smoke would linger into the night. The next morning, we would all pick up the spent rockets, and that would be the end of it.
Independence Day wasn鈥檛 just a festival of personal freedom but a celebration of community and nation. Thus, the freedom to enjoy fireworks was not unbounded. We felt a duty to those who had to get up early to work, those who rocked a baby to fragile slumber, and those whose shuddering gun-shy dogs needed reprieve to limit the bombs bursting in air to but a few hours.
Sometime in the past couple of decades, that neighborly norm was shattered. Nowadays, fireworks can be heard days and weeks in advance of July 4th and throughout the night. It is more than just inconsiderate. Lighting fireworks throughout the week or late at night distresses military veterans and others with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In some parts of town and to some ears, that packet of firecrackers at 1 a.m. sounds a lot like something more lethal.
鈥淰eterans may find themselves feeling blindsided by fireworks they weren鈥檛 expecting,鈥� Shawn Clark,聽 a doctor and the manager of the Serious Mental Illness Program at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, was quoted saying in a news release last year from the Veterans Administration with tips for veterans to cope with unexpected neighborhood fireworks. 鈥淚t抖阴ap not about a lack of patriotism–it抖阴ap about navigating deeply wired trauma responses and reclaiming a sense of calm in the face of distress.鈥�
Veterans with PTSD can experience vivid, realistic memories of war conflicts known as flashbacks that are triggered by loud noises. Even expected fireworks displays can unexpectedly trigger panic in someone suffering from PTSD.
Keep in mind that all fireworks that leave the ground are illegal in the state of Colorado. Even fireworks that are not airborne like sparklers, spinners, tanks, smoke bombs, and fountains are illegal in Denver and the vast majority of Front Range cities and suburbs.
The law, no doubt, also reflects concerns about safety. Fifteen deaths and 13,000 injuries in the United States were attributed to fireworks in 2025 according to government statistics. There were an estimated 1,300 sparkler-related emergency room visits. The tamest of fireworks burn hotter than 1,200 degrees.
There鈥檚 also the environment to consider. The whole state is suffering from drought conditions. Thanks to water restrictions, some lawns have already yellowed. Unirrigated open spaces are particularly dry, and an errant bottle rocket could start a dangerous fire.
In light of the fire risk and the legality, one should consider whether and where to light fireworks. As to when to light such fireworks, that should be a no-brainer. There is no reason to light fireworks outside of July 4th or later than 10 p.m.
Krista Kafer is a Sunday Denver Post columnist.
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