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Fireworks unlikely for the Fourth in Snowmass, Aspen

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show in Snowmass Village and Aspen are looking less and less likely this year.

“Snowmass is planning a community Fourth of July celebration but making alternatives because chances are we won’t have fireworks,” Snowmass Tourism director Rose Abello said June 8.

Scott Thompson, fire chief for Snowmass and Basalt, also expects the Snowmass show to be canceled.



“It’s most likely they will cancel the fireworks and use the budget for New Year’s,” he said.

In Aspen, “We are exploring other options besides fireworks this year,” Aspen Chamber Resort Association special events manager Brittany Zanin also said June 8.




No official decision about the fireworks has been made yet, she said. However, Zanin confirmed that ACRA has not yet submitted a permit application for the fireworks show, which is usually done at least 30 days before the event.

Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, who will make the final fireworks call, said Friday that he’s heard nothing official yet, though the lack of a permit is telling.

“I’ve not seen a permit,” he said, “so I assumed there will be no fireworks.”

Pitkin County on June 12 enacted stage 1 fire restrictions, which limits the open fires, fireworks and other ban.

“The fuel moisture content of trees, grass and brush is significantly low and at risk of a devastating fire,” DiSalvo said in a statement announcing the bans.

Aspen Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Parker Lathrop said fuel moisture levels are lining up with those recorded in 2012, one of the driest summers in recent memory.

Conditions are even drier downvalley in Basalt, where fuel moisture levels “are as low as they’ve ever been recorded,” Thompson said Friday.

The Roaring Fork Club has canceled its fireworks and has scheduled a laser show instead, he said.

Glenwood Springs, which is already under fire restrictions through Garfield County, has announced that it will forego the traditional fireworks in favor of a laser light show.

jauslander@aspentimes.com