Englewood council votes to keep July 4 fireworks on calendar despite fire warning

Englewood City Council voted 4-3 on July 1 to keep the city’s July 4 fireworks show on the calendar, despite a recommendation from Fire Marshal Mike Smith to cancel because of dry conditions, wind concerns and broader wildfire activity.

At a special council meeting, council first rejected a motion to proceed with the Independence Day event at Belleview and Cornerstone parks without fireworks. It then approved moving ahead with the full show, with staff directed to keep monitoring conditions and cancel if needed on the day of the event.

Smith told council Arapahoe County had moved to Stage 2 fire restrictions. He said a professional display could still be allowed if enough firefighting and public-safety resources were in place, but he recommended against proceeding because of the regional fire danger.

In the council packet, staff said the event remained in “Go Status” at the time materials were prepared. The packet said Stage 2 restrictions allow professional displays when they are supervised and permitted, though private fireworks are banned.

Staff also outlined costs and logistics that would complicate a cancellation. The fireworks contract totaled $31,650, with a $12,660 deposit already paid, and traffic-control and portable-toilet contracts had short cancellation windows. Officials also said the city had done vegetation mitigation around the launch area and discussed the risk of canceling after fireworks had been loaded into canisters.

Council members said they had heard from residents urging the city to cancel. Officials also warned that holding a city-sponsored show while private fireworks were banned could confuse residents and set a poor example during elevated fire danger.

The available record reviewed for this story does not confirm the final day-of outcome. City event and promotional pages still listed the fireworks show for July 4, but no official post-event recap or cancellation notice was available.