Local & Permits
Denver Wood-Burning Rules: What Fireplace Owners Should Know About High-Pollution Days
Wood-burning rules in the Denver metro area are more specific than many homeowners realize. Colorado Regulation 4 contains restrictions that apply on declared high-pollution days in defined portions of the seven-county Denver-Boulder metro area.
The covered counties are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson, within the applicable AIR program area and generally not including areas above 7,000 feet.
What happens on a high-pollution day?
State rules prohibit operation of certain devices intended to burn clean, dry, untreated wood during a high-pollution day unless an exemption applies.
The rule includes stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, fire pits and other wood-burning fixtures or devices within the applicable area.
A burn-down period is allowed for existing fires before enforcement.
Important exemptions
Colorado Regulation 4 lists exemptions that include, among others:
- People using a wood-burning stove, pellet stove or fireplace as a primary source of heat
- Certain certified wood-burning stoves or fireplace inserts meeting the regulation
- Approved/certified pellet stoves or pellet-burning inserts meeting the regulation
Local rules can also apply, so the safest approach is to check current state and local advisory information before burning.
Why Denver has these rules
Wood smoke contributes fine-particle pollution. During winter inversions and other stagnant conditions, pollution can become trapped near the ground.
Colorado’s Winter High Pollution Advisory Program is coordinated by the Air Pollution Control Division, and the state publishes Front Range air-quality forecasts and advisories.
Does this mean wood fireplaces are illegal in Denver?
No. The rules are more nuanced than that.
Existing systems, new-installation rules, appliance certification and high-pollution-day operating restrictions are separate issues. Homeowners should not assume that because a fireplace already exists it can be operated at any time, nor should they assume that all wood-burning equipment is prohibited.
New fireplace installations are also regulated
In the area defined by Regulation 4, the state restricts new fireplace installations to qualifying categories such as gas appliances, electric devices, certified inserts, approved pellet inserts and other approved clean-burning devices.
Denver also has its own building and environmental rules, so a new installation should be reviewed against both current city and state requirements.
How homeowners should use this information
Before burning on a winter day:
- Check the current Colorado air-quality advisory.
- Determine whether your property is in the regulated area.
- Know whether your appliance qualifies for an exemption.
- Follow any stricter local rule that applies.
Before installing a new wood-burning appliance, verify the current permit and emission requirements before purchasing equipment.
Why this belongs in a chimney maintenance plan
A well-maintained chimney is only one part of responsible wood burning. Fuel quality, appliance certification, air-quality restrictions and proper operation matter too.
For Denver homeowners, chimney service should include awareness of the legal environment around wood burning—not just soot removal.
Keaton Chimney Solutions serves Denver and surrounding communities with chimney and fireplace cleaning, inspection, repair and installation services. Call 720-734-5373.
Are all wood fires banned on Denver high-pollution days?
The state rule includes exemptions, so it depends on the appliance, use and property location. Check the current advisory and regulation.
Does the rule apply above 7,000 feet?
The state high-pollution-day provision excludes applicable areas above 7,000 feet as described in Regulation 4.
Where should I check current status?
Use Colorado’s official air-quality advisory resources and any applicable local agency guidance.
Need help with a chimney or fireplace in Colorado? Keaton Chimney Solutions serves Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and surrounding communities. Call 720-734-5373.