Open Burn Permit
We generally only allow clean, dry slash to be burned; never trash. Certain activities are exempt from needing a burn permit from the health department.
Most outdoor burning in Larimer County requires a permit signed by both your local fire department and the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The fire department evaluates applications for potential fire safety issues, while the health department evaluates air quality issues that can impact human health.
Open burning in Larimer County is regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment/Air Pollution Control Division under Colorado Air Quality Control Commission's Regulation One and Regulation Nine. Open burning without a permit is illegal and can result in fines of up to $10,000 per day.
For elevations 6000 feet or higher the burn season runs from October 1 to May 1 of the following year. Please do not apply before October 1 as we cannot hold them in que and they will be denied.
To review prior to applying
Prohibited Materials
- Routine yard and garden clean-up waste
- Structures
- Construction debris
- Household garbage
- Materials that produce excessive smoke (cattails, plastic, etc.)
- Commercial/Business waste
- Stumps
Burning Regulations
- Pile debris in open areas away from standing timber and structures.
- Piles should be no larger than 8 feet wide and 6 feet high.
- There must be a minimum of 3 inches of snow cover around piles.
- There shall be no burning when current or expected winds exceed 10 miles per hour.
- Fires must be constantly attended by a competent and non-impaired person.
- Always have water, a rake, and a shovel available.
- Attend all fires until completely out.
- All burning must be extinguished by nightfall.
- The open burn period season is from October 1 thru May 1 for elevations 6000 and over. See above for further details.
The open burn period season is from October 1 thru May 1.
Things to know:
- The Open Burn Permit is typically used for wildfire mitigation or land stewardship efforts by mountain landowners and has a limit of 50 slash piles or less per year.
- Slash is defined as clean dry branches four inches or less in diameter, not containing other smoke producing materials.
- A slash pile size is less than 6 feet high.
- Applications will not be processed until one week before the start of the open burn period.
- It is recommended that digital photos of the material you're requesting to burn be attached or downloaded onto the application (photos may preclude a site inspection and release the permit to you sooner).
A Specialty Burn Permit (on the online permit application, select other on the type of permit) must be obtained for conducting agricultural ditch burns, bon fires, or other fires containing non-prohibited materials. These are reviewed at the local fire department. Attaching digital photos for review of material types and specific safety guidelines is encouraged and may expedite the permitting process.
Apply for a Burn Permit
Online Application - The online application will be routed electronically and you will receive an email notice regarding the status of your application and your final General Open Burn Permit.
New online application
Renew/Extend previous permit
Mail
Print the Burn Application Form, fill it out, mail it to:
Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
1525 Blue Spruce Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Walk-In
Come to our office and fill out the form
Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
1525 Blue Spruce Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524
