How Colorado's Burn Permit System Works
Colorado's fire environment has transformed dramatically over the past 15 years. What was once a predictable summer fire season in the high country has evolved into a year-round concern affecting the Front Range, plains, and mountain communities alike. The December 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County — the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history in terms of homes destroyed — burned in winter during an extreme wind event, fundamentally changing how Colorado thinks about fire risk. The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) manages fire permits in State Forest Protection Areas and coordinates with the state's 64 counties. Each county can implement its own fire restrictions independently, and many Front Range counties (Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, El Paso) have active fire management programs that supplement state-level restrictions. The cofirebans.us website aggregates all county and state restrictions into a single searchable map — it is the definitive resource before any outdoor burn. Colorado's fire restriction system uses four levels: No Restrictions, Level 1 (Stage 1), Level 2 (Stage 2), and Red Flag / Emergency conditions. Level 1 restricts open burning; Level 2 prohibits essentially all fires including campfires. The transitions between levels happen quickly — a single severe wind event can prompt a statewide escalation within hours.
Getting Your Colorado Burn Permit
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Permit Agency | Colorado State Forest Service |
| Phone | (970) 491-8660 |
| Online Portal | https://csfs.colostate.edu |
| Cost | Free |
| Valid For | Varies by season and conditions |
Step-by-Step Process
- Go to cofirebans.us and check current restriction levels for your county
- If Level 1 or higher is in effect, open burning of vegetation is prohibited — stop here
- If no restrictions are in effect, contact your local CSFS district office for permit requirements
- Also check with your county fire marshal — many Front Range counties have independent permit processes
- For National Forest adjacent burns, also check USFS restrictions at inciweb.nwcg.gov
- Receive permit and confirm conditions are favorable before lighting anything
Seasonal Rules & Burn Bans in Colorado
Colorado's practical burning windows have narrowed significantly. The Front Range mountains (Boulder, Larimer, Jefferson counties) may see restrictions from March through November in severe drought years. Eastern plains communities have a somewhat wider window, particularly in spring (March–April) for range burning. Best opportunities: late fall (November) after first significant precipitation, and sometimes brief windows in March before fire season intensifies. Summer (June–September) is near-impossible statewide in most years — the combination of fire danger, active restrictions, and often-reduced relative humidity makes burns extremely risky even when technically permitted. The Marshall Fire and other recent front-range fires have made Colorado regulators much more cautious about issuing permits during any elevated-risk conditions.
What You Can and Cannot Burn in Colorado
Natural vegetation and yard debris in permitted areas during allowed windows. Colorado's Front Range urban-wildland interface means many residents live adjacent to high fire-hazard areas — extra caution is warranted even when burns are technically permitted. Agricultural burning on eastern plains follows CDPHE air quality guidance and county authorization.
- Leaves, yard trimmings, and natural vegetation
- Brush, branches, and untreated natural wood
- Downed trees (not treated, painted, or composite)
- Agricultural crop residue (appropriate permit required)
- Storm debris — natural vegetation only
Penalties for Burning Without a Permit in Colorado
Open burning violations in Colorado carry civil penalties through CDPHE (air quality) up to $15,000 per day and CSFS enforcement actions. Burning during a declared fire restriction at Level 1 or higher is a misdemeanor. Colorado has been aggressive about wildfire suppression cost recovery since the 2012 High Park and Waldo Canyon fires demonstrated the scale of possible costs.
Use our free Suppression Cost Calculator to estimate your personal liability if an escaped fire requires wildfire suppression response.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado
In CSFS forest protection areas (most of mountainous and semi-rural Colorado), yes. But more importantly: check cofirebans.us before any burn in any county. Restrictions change rapidly and can be in effect even when no formal CSFS permit is required. Many Front Range counties have independent permit requirements through local fire districts.
Colorado uses four levels: No Restrictions (standard permit rules apply), Level 1 (Stage 1 — open burning prohibited, campfires in permanent rings may be allowed), Level 2 (Stage 2 — all fires prohibited including campfires), and Emergency/Red Flag (all ignition sources restricted outdoors). Check cofirebans.us for current levels by county.
Most Front Range municipalities — Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs — prohibit open burning by local ordinance. Even in unincorporated areas adjacent to these cities, fire district rules often restrict or prohibit debris burning. Check with your county fire marshal and local fire district first.
Late fall (November, early December) after the first significant moisture event, and sometimes brief spring windows (March) before fire season ramps up. July through September is essentially off-limits statewide. The Marshall Fire (December 2021) demonstrated that even winter is not inherently safe during extreme wind and drought conditions.
Both apply simultaneously — you must comply with whichever is more restrictive. CSFS restrictions apply statewide or regionally through CSFS units. County restrictions are issued by county commissioners or fire management authorities and may be more restrictive than the state level. cofirebans.us shows both on the same map.