July 3rd and 4th are expected to see the most activity, which also means the highest fire danger.
Special fireworks patrols are happening this week in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, and all of Jefferson County.
9Wants to Know rode along with police and firefighters, who have zero tolerance policy right now because the fire danger is so high.
That means if you're caught with fireworks of any kind, you'll get a summons to appear in court.
Special fireworks patrols are nothing new in the metro area, but their mission is taking on a new urgency this year.
Playing with fire has never been more dangerous due to extreme fire danger.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed an executive order making the private use of fireworks illegal.
"You could literally burn down an entire city block if things got out of control," said Capt. Scott Sare of the Aurora Fire Dept.
Sare and Aurora Police Sergeant Steve Redfearn made up one of three teams on special fireworks patrol in Aurora Monday night.
"It's devastating to a family, and people don't realize that when they're just having fun and lighting off a firework," Redfearn said.
Their night began with a briefing at police headquarters; then they headed out across Aurora. The first fireworks call took them to an apartment complex where they discovered bottle rockets.
"It's still pretty dry, so I'm surprised it hasn't started a fire," Redfearn said.
Aurora police say the number of fireworks calls coming-in this year is down dramatically from last year.
"I think people are really getting the message this year that it is dry, it is dangerous, and there are other avenues to celebrate," Sare said.
Not everyone is getting that message. Fireworks calls began lighting up after dark. Five calls came from that same apartment complex where officers found the bottle rockets.
Callers reported hearing an explosion of fireworks that lasted for minutes. Officers collect bags of evidence, including spent fireworks shells.
Neighbors were afraid to talk openly to police.
"There's a bunch of guys standing out there watching us," Redfearn said. "Next thing we know we could be coming in with fire trucks, because there's a fire."
Eventually, someone from the complex agreed to meet officers in a grocery store parking lot. That neighbor gave officers the information they needed to begin knocking on doors. Hours of investigation paid off when a woman received a summons to appear in court for fireworks possession.
She faces a potential fine of up to nearly $1,000.
Officers suspected another neighbor of hiding a cache of larger, more dangerous fireworks he bought in Wyoming. But the man would not allow them inside his apartment.
"They're going to burn people's houses down," Redfearn said. "It's pretty serious."
Officers plan to monitor the area near the apartment complex and if anyone sets of fireworks again, they'll return to issue more citations.
"It's just not worth it," Redfearn said. "It's not worth having a little bit of fun and ruining somebody else's life."
In many cities, including Aurora, you're not even allowed to posses fireworks. You can get an expensive ticket even if you don't set them off.
Because the volume of calls is down this year, police are able to investigate almost every fireworks complaint.
If you see illegal fireworks in your area, call the following numbers for your area:
- Jefferson County: 303-271-8200
- Aurora: 303-627-3100
- Denver: 720-913-2000
If your area is not listed above, just call the local authorities to report the illegal fireworks.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)