Grand Junction council adopts ban on sale of consumer fireworks amid drought, 4-3

The Grand Junction City Council voted 4 to 3 on May 6 to adopt a resolution banning the sale and trade of consumer fireworks in the city, citing persistent drought and heightened wildfire risk.

City Fire Chief (at the podium) told the council that regional forecasts and drought indicators — including above-average wildland-fire potential from the National Interagency Fire Center and low watershed moisture projections — supported the staff recommendation. "This is really what the basis of why we are making the recommendation, to ban the sale of fireworks," the chief said, pointing to a sharp rise in red-flag warning days and local brush fires earlier in the season.

The vote followed an extended council debate over enforcement logistics, timing and impacts on local small businesses. Chief staff noted that in 2025 the city completed about 84 fireworks-related inspections that averaged roughly three hours each, and warned that waiting could leave the city unable to complete required inspections before sales began. "If that drought continues, whatever we sell from here until the council decides to act, we'll just have to accept whatever that amount is," the chief said.

Industry representatives urged a different path. A representative from TNT Fireworks told council that prohibitions often fail to stop illegal imports and urged an emphasis on safety education and targeted regulation instead of a blanket sales ban. "Prohibitions just do not work," the speaker said, and asked council to postpone action until early June to see whether seasonal rains improve conditions.

Some council members said the risk to public safety and first responders outweighed vendor concerns. Council member Stout said she was "unwilling to put celebration over safety," stressing the strain on fire resources during dry seasons. Other council members argued for giving vendors time to avoid stranded inventory.

After the public comment period and discussion, a motion to table the item to early June failed. Council then voted to adopt the resolution banning the sale and trade of fireworks in the city, with staff to carry out implementation steps.

The resolution passed 4-3. The council did not specify an effective revocation date in the discussion; staff indicated they would proceed with the implementation steps required under the adopted resolution and the fire department would follow up on permits and inspections as needed.