All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Englewood and those who decide to ignore the ban could find themselves facing a municipal court date as Englewood police are stepping up fireworks violation enforcement.

Englewood Police Commander Sam Watson said fireworks violation complaints are particularly heavy in the weeks surrounding July 4. During that time, police seek to run down a couple hundred complaints, Watson said.

He suggested individuals who like fireworks go to Cornerstone Park on July 4 for the city-sponsored show or visit one of the other professional fireworks displays around the metro area.

The pop, pop, pop of fireworks being set off are often a nuisance to those who don’t want to hear them, and to try to catch those creating the disturbance, Englewood police will add extra patrols as they seek to step up enforcement the couple weeks before and after July 4. Watson said several officers will be assigned specifically to deal with fireworks violation complaints.

Residents caught violating the fireworks ban will be issued a ticket requiring an appearance in municipal court in which the judge could sentence the offender to up to 360 days in jail and impose of fine of up to $1,000.

While most local jurisdictions have bans similar to Englewood’s, enforcing them is difficult because of the easy accessibility to fireworks since there are no restrictions on sales of fireworks in unincorporated Arapahoe County. This is despite repeated efforts by law enforcement agencies in the county and state to outlaw all fireworks, except for professional displays.

The result is, tents housing fireworks pop up on vacant lots and areas around the county.

Police officials also say enforcement is difficult because the complaint usually comes in when the fireworks are being set off and those who did it are often no longer in the area by the time police officers arrive.