Celebrate the Fourth of July safely at these Colorado fireworks displays

June 15, 2023
fireworks display in Colorado.
Communities throughout Colorado offer fabulous fireworks displays. Find shows near you, and gear up to celebrate Fourth of July with dazzling pyrotechnics. Photo: Getty Images.

If you love fireworks, the best time of year is upon us. From shows over scenic mountain lakes to booming pyrotechnics that thunder over sports stadiums to colorful bursts of color synchronized with music, Fourth of July fireworks displays in Colorado offer dazzling opportunities to celebrate America’s independence and revel in summer fun.

So, don red, white and blue, and gear up with blankets and chairs for good viewing to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Here’s a round-up of fireworks displays throughout Colorado.

And please, always remember to stay safe. (Read tips here.) Don’t set off your own fireworks. Instead, let the pros dazzle you.

Arvada

The celebration takes place at Stenger Sports Complex on July 4. The fireworks are slated to start at about 9 p.m. Propane grills are allowed, but no RVs, drones, alcohol, personal fireworks, pets or alcohol are allowed. Free parking.

Aurora 

A 30-minute fireworks display is set for July 4, starting at about 9:30 p.m. Experts will set off the fireworks from Bicentennial Park. For a great view, plan to bring blankets and chairs to the Aurora Municipal Center’s Great Lawn.

Berthoud

Charming Berthoud in northern Colorado celebrates the holiday a day early on July 3. Enjoy music, food trucks, activities, and, of course, fireworks! The event kicks off at 4 p.m. at Waggener Farm Park, with fireworks starting at dusk.

Brighton

The city hosts its Stars & Stripes fireworks display on July 3 at about 9:30 p.m. over Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road.

Broomfield

Broomfield hosts its Great American Picnic and Fireworks on July 4 at Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd. The fireworks display is slated to start at 9:30 p.m.

Castle Rock

Town officials have replaced the fireworks display of years past with a patriotic LED/drone show starting at 9 p.m. at Philip S. Miller Park.

Colorado Springs

The “Star Spangled Symphony & Fourth of July Fireworks” returns to Colorado Springs. Enjoy music from the Colorado Springs Philharmonic – broadcasted on five local radio stations – along with the fireworks display. The music will be broadcasted starting at 9 p.m., with fireworks expected to start at 9:15. Enjoy the show at these locations:

  • Banning Lewis Ranch (open to the public)
  • The Club at Flying Horse (Resort Guests & Members Only)
  • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (ticketed event)
  • The Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain Resort (Resort Guests & Members Only)
  • Falcon Freedom Days at Meridian Ranch (July 1 – open to the public)
  • Fort Carson (June 30)
  • Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
  • Patty Jewett Golf Course
  • Rocky Mountain Vibes (ticketed event)
  • Valley High Golf Course

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks may also have a fireworks display after their game July 4 at Weidner Field downtown.

The Rocky Mountain Vibes may have a fireworks display after their game July 4 at UCHealth Park in eastern Colorado Springs.

Fort Carson will have fireworks as part of its Fort Carson Freedom Fest celebration on June 30 from 5-10 p.m.

Commerce City

The Colorado Rapids bill their fireworks display as the “largest public fireworks show in the state.” The Rapids match against Portland. The game on July 4 starts at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow.

Cripple Creek

Fireworks start about 20 minutes after dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.) on July 4 on the city’s south side, south of Myers Ave.

Denver

Coors Field in downtown Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood hosts back-to-back fireworks shows on June 30 and july 1 after the Colorado Rockies take on the Detroit Tigers. Buy tickets or watch from nearby parks and neighborhoods.

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park hosts fireworks on July 3.

Englewood

The City of Englewood is teaming up with Littleton, Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks and Recreation to celebrate the Fourth of July with a picnic followed by a fireworks display. The picnic starts at 5 p.m. at Belleview Park and Cornerstone. Fireworks will start at about 9:15 p.m.

Erie

The celebration takes place on July 3 at Erie Community Park, 450 Powers St. Experts will launch fireworks at about 9:30 p.m. from the rooftop of the Erie Community Center.

Estes Park

Blast off is expected to start around 9:30 p.m. on July 4 over Lake Estes.

Fort Collins

Fourth of July festivities take place on July 4 and include a parade along Mountain Avenue, live music in City Park, followed by a fireworks show starting around 9:35 p.m. over Sheldon Lake.

Glendale

The community near Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood will celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks display on July 1. The pros set off the fireworks starting at 9:40 p.m. from Creekside Park. Learn more about street closures.

Golden

The Golden Lions Club hosts the celebration on July 4 at Lions Park on 10th Street. Check back here for more details.

Greeley

The Greeley Stampede will host a fireworks show — in the northwest corner of Island Grove Park — starting around 9:30 p.m. on July 4.

Highlands Ranch

Experts will set off fireworks from Highlands Heritage Park at South University Boulevard and East Quebec Avenue around 9:30 p.m.

Lakewood

Lakewood hosts the “Big Belmar Bash” on July 3, with a drone light show slated to start at 9:15 p.m.

Longmont

The public Longmont fireworks display, coordinated by Skyline Kiwanis, is back for 2023. The event takes place July 4 from 5:30-10:30. Parking passes and more details can be found on the Skyline Kiwanis website.

Loveland

Loveland’s firework display takes place at North Lake Park, on the corner of Traft Avenue and 29th Street, on July 4. There are activities happening throughout the day, and the experts will launch the fireworks from the swim beak over Lake Loveland around 9:15 p.m.

Pueblo

The Pueblo West Vintage 4th of July Celebration is back. Fireworks will be launched at dark on July 4 at Civic Center Park.

Westminster

The 4th of July Celebration at Westminster City Park starts at 4 p.m. on July 4, with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

About the author

Katie Kerwin McCrimmon is a proud Colorado native. She attended Colorado College, thanks to a merit scholarship from the Boettcher Foundation, and worked as a park ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park during summer breaks from college. She is also a storyteller. She loves getting to know UCHealth patients and providers and sharing their inspiring stories.

Katie spent years working as a journalist at the Rocky Mountain News and was a finalist with a team of reporters for the Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of a deadly wildfire in Glenwood Springs in 1994. Katie was the first reporter in the U.S. to track down and interview survivors of the tragic blaze, which left 14 firefighters dead.

She covered an array of beats over the years, including the environment, politics, education and criminal justice. She also loved covering stories in Congress and at the U.S. Supreme Court during a stint as the Rocky’s reporter in Washington, D.C.

Katie then worked as a reporter for an online health news site before joining the UCHealth team in 2017.

Katie and her husband Cyrus, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, have three children. The family loves traveling together anywhere from Glacier National Park to Cuba.