Montrose Business Times
The City of Montrose has postponed its Fourth of July fireworks display and prohibited the sale of fireworks within city limits as worsening wildfire conditions and strained firefighting resources continue across western Colorado.
According to a city news release, the annual fireworks show at Riverbottom Park has been tentatively rescheduled for Aug. 1 to coincide with Colorado Day and the state’s 150th anniversary. The city said the parade, free concert and other Independence Day festivities will continue as planned on July 4.
City officials said the decision was made in consultation with the Montrose Fire Protection District, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Montrose County and other emergency management officials.
The city cited a combination of high temperatures, dry conditions, low fuel moisture and forecasted winds, along with multiple active wildfires across the Western Slope, as factors in the decision. Surrounding counties and federal lands are currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, with additional restrictions expected as conditions worsen, according to the release.
Officials also pointed to limited fire protection resources. In previous years, the Montrose Fire Protection District has relied on mutual aid from local, state and federal agencies during the holiday, but many of those resources are currently committed to large wildfires burning throughout the region, including the South Rim Fire in Ouray County.
Effective at noon June 29, the city also prohibited the sale of fireworks within Montrose city limits.
“Our primary concern is the safety of our community,” the city said in the release, adding that the fireworks display will be held at a later date if weather conditions improve.
The decision follows similar actions by other communities in the region. Telluride canceled its Independence Day fireworks display last week, while the Town of Ouray announced Sunday that it would also forgo its annual show because of elevated fire danger. Delta on Tuesday announced a postponement of its show as well. As of July 1, the Gunnison show was still a go. Other Western Slope fireworks displays were canceled, including Durango, Fruita, Steamboat Lake State Park.
Despite the fireworks postponement, the city’s Independence Day celebration will proceed with a full schedule of activities centered around this year’s theme, “Our Heritage,” recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood.
Events include the annual Fourth of July parade through downtown Montrose, the Montrose Farmers Market at Centennial Plaza beginning at 9 a.m., and a free afternoon and evening concert at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater featuring live music, children’s activities, food vendors and community organizations. The celebration will also include a cornhole tournament hosted by the Montrose Recreation District, a dog demonstration by Starry Waters Dog Training, vendor booths and family activities throughout the day.
According to the city, free patriotic items, including American flags, bandanas and glow sticks, will be distributed during the celebration, along with 3D diffraction glasses originally intended for viewing the fireworks display.
Additional information about the Independence Day celebration is available at CityofMontrose.org/July4.
