Firework fun in celebration of the new year will have to wait until next time for parts of El Paso County.
As unseasonably dry, warm weather continues, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has reinstated Stage 1 fire restrictions for unincorporated parts of the county.
The restrictions went into effect at 1 p.m. Wednesday and prohibit multiple activities, including the use of fireworks without a professional display permit, the Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release.
“I will evaluate conditions weekly and reassess the need to keep the restrictions in place, but for the near future, the residents of El Paso County can expect the restrictions to remain in place until moisture levels improve,” Sheriff Joseph Roybal said in an emailed statement.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a small portion of northwest El Paso County is considered “abnormally dry.” Conditions for the rest of the county are normal.
Screen grab from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Data is valid up to Dec. 30, 2025.
The same can’t be said for much of the western half of the state, including in Eagle County, where data up to Dec. 30 shows “exceptional” drought levels.
Fire restrictions were initially in place starting Dec. 17 but were lifted Friday, Dec. 26 ahead of what was hoped to be the second measurable amount of snowfall in the region. The National Weather Service in Pueblo forecasted as much as 1 to 2 inches of snow across Colorado Springs, but snowfall reports from Sunday are showing the city had no measurable amounts of snow.
“With the recent snow totals falling significantly short of the prediction, the responsible decision is to reinstate stage 1 restrictions,” Roybal said in his statement.
The following activities are prohibited under the restrictions:
• Open burning, with exceptions for fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds; charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared (three feet distance) of all flammable materials.
• The use of any fireworks without a professional display permit, outdoor pyrotechnics such as explosive targets, or model rockets.
• Outdoor smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or similar torch with an open flame is prohibited except in an area cleared of vegetation.
• No internal combustion engine operation without a spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
• Prescribed burns: any previously issued permits for such burns are revoked.
The Sheriff’s Office is also asking residents to stay vigilant during this “particularly dry” time of year, saying simple actions like tossing a cigarette could spark an unexpected blaze.
While fireworks are prohibited without a permit, people can still watch some go off on top of Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve. The AdAmAn Club has a permitted license to launch the fireworks off the beloved mountain, a tradition that is over 100 years old.
Meteorologists are saying that there should be “decent” viewing for the fireworks show, which is set to go off at 9 p.m. and another at midnight.