The Fremont County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a rewrite of the county’s fire ban ordinance just in time to deal with the question of fireworks in Fremont County. At the Board’s June 26th regular meeting the commissioners adopted the fire ban ordinance on second reading. Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker had explained at the June 12th public hearing that the rewrite was intended to have restrictions that fall in line with other state and federal agencies thereby reducing confusion for citizens.
Royal Gorge Field Manager for the Bureau of Land Management Keith Berger had remarked after the hearing that he believes the county’s fire restrictions closely parallel those adopted by the federal agencies.
The new ordinance also establishes a permitting system through the Sheriff’s Department for burning of slash piles and brings the county’s restrictions in line with new state legislation approved in 2011 that allows certain exceptions for agricultural burning. Upon adoption of the ordinance Sheriff Beicker announced he was immediately imposing Stage 2 fire restrictions banning all campfires, charcoal grills, outdoor smoking, and all fireworks. Sheriff Beicker followed up the next day with an announcement that the community fireworks displays on Cañon City’s Skyline Drive and at the Penrose Park on the 4th of July were being cancelled due to the extreme fire danger. A day later the City of Cañon City announced it would also ban the sale of all fireworks in the city effectively shutting down all fireworks in the county for the 4th of July.
In other business at the June 26th commissioners’ meeting the Board:
- Approved a resolution appointing three directors to the Fremont County Finance Corporation to include Larry Stringari, Buddy Lambrecht, and Commissioner Ed Norden. The Finance Corporation had to be legally constituted as part of the Board of Commissioners intent to refinance its’ certificates of participation to yield some savings through lower interest rates;
- Approved a temporary use permit for EPIC Relays to use Fremont County roads for the annual EPIC Relays team foot race on Friday, July 20th;
- Approved a special events liquor permit for the Florence Rotary Club acting as the agent for the Penrose Park and Recreation District;
- Appointed Mike Madone to fill a vacancy on the Fremont County Heritage Commission.