Englewood council votes 4-3 to hold July 4 fireworks despite fire marshal recommendation

Englewood City Council voted 4-3 on July 1 to proceed with the city's Independence Day fireworks after a lengthy discussion that included safety recommendations from the city's fire marshal and questions about staffing, contract costs and the risk of private, illegal fireworks use.

Fire Marshal Mike Smith told the council that Arapahoe County had moved to a Stage Two fire ban the previous morning and that, after consulting neighboring jurisdictions and reviewing weather and site conditions, his professional recommendation was to cancel this year's display. "As a professional ... I recommend we do not move forward with fireworks this year for 2026," Smith said.

Christina Underhill, Director of Parks, Recreation, Library, Golf and Events, presented three staff options: proceed with the event and fireworks; proceed with the event but cancel the fireworks; or cancel the entire event. She said the city had paid a 40% deposit of $12,660 on a $31,650 fireworks contract. "We cannot get a refund on the deposit," Underhill said, and staff noted the vendor has in prior years allowed crediting funds toward a future show.

Council members split along safety and risk-management lines. Member Praying said she had received many constituent requests to cancel and urged caution, citing local air-quality concerns and what she described as respect for firefighters' safety: "I will be advocating for a yes vote on this." Member Bethel and others echoed those concerns and noted that county officials had advised against fireworks under Stage Two conditions.

Those favoring a wait-until-the-day approach, including Mayor pro tem Anderson and Member Russell, argued that an early cancellation could prompt residents to buy and set off private fireworks elsewhere in drier neighborhoods, raising the overall fire risk. "If we cancel early... people are going to be setting them off in their dry yards," Mayor pro tem Anderson said.

Deputy City Attorney Victoria McDermott advised that the contract permits a day-of cancellation but the city would forfeit the deposit; other logistical services such as barricades and staffing could be more difficult or costly to reschedule on short notice. McDermott said the contract language allows the city to postpone within the calendar year without penalty, but any same-week or day-of changes might still generate extra costs or staffing challenges.

Staff described the safety checklist that will govern any day-of decision: site inspections, vegetation mitigation, wind and weather monitoring, and confirmation of firefighting and medical resources. Under the current operational plan, Denver Fire had indicated it could dedicate one engine to the event but emphasized it supported the fire marshal's role as the authority having jurisdiction.

Council held two motions. First, Member Praying moved to proceed with the event but cancel the fireworks; that motion failed, 3-4. The mayor then moved to proceed with the event including the fireworks; that motion passed 4-3 (ayes: Mayor pro tem Anderson, Member Russell, Member Ward, Mayor Sierra; nays: Member Bethel, Member Praying, Member Summerson). The council recorded the outcome and directed staff to follow the fire-safety checklist and cancel if the day-of conditions meet the established stop criteria.

The council also discussed contract and partner refunds: staff said partners (Sheridan, Littleton, South Suburban and Arapahoe County) contribute roughly $29,000 in total toward the show and would need to be refunded for their shares if the event were canceled. Staff said the fireworks contractor and some support contracts can be canceled with varying notice and penalty terms; City Attorney staff said the deposit is generally nonrefundable.

The council adjourned after the vote. Staff will continue to monitor weather and resource availability and is authorized to call a cancellation on safety grounds if the fire marshal's checklist is not met.