"It shall be unlawful for any person, within the City and County of Denver, to burn any solid fuel in any solid-fuel-fired device during a 'high pollution day' unless the Denver Department of Environmental Health has granted a permit."

High pollution season runs from November 1 through March 31 of every year. During this time it is unlawful to burn any solid-fuel (including fire-logs) in a fireplace or stove on high pollution “RED” days, unless an exemption has been granted in the form of a permit. Exemptions are granted only for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phase II certified wood stoves, fireplace inserts, approved pellet stoves, and for residential sole source of heat and defective heating systems. For further information or questions please call 720-865-5452 or visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Definition of An EPA Phase II Solid-Fuel-Fired Device

EPA phase II solid-fuel-fired devices are wood burning devices, which have been certified by the EPA as low emission polluters. They have been designed for more efficient combustion of solid fuels such as wood, coal, and paper. These devices include fireplace-inserts, stoves, pellet stoves and furnaces. Solid-fuel-fired devices do not include natural gas-fired devices, commercial ovens or stoves, solid-fuel-fired barbecues, or public utility facilities generating steam or electricity. To find out if a solid-fuel-device is an EPA phase II device, please call 720-865-5452 with the manufacturer name and model number of the device. In most cases, the solid-fuel-device dealer will know if it is a certified device.

Chimineas

A chiminea is a pot with many uses. One of these is burning solid-fuel (i.e. wood) in an outdoor setting. They have an opening at the base for fuel addition/air intake and a stack for smoke direction. These devices come in various sizes and shapes but all are basically this same design. Used in this manner, these units are solid-fuel-fired devices as defined in the Denver Revised Municipal Code for Rules and Regulations Governing Solid Fuel Burning. This means a chiminea cannot be used to burn wood or any other solid fuel in the City and County of Denver.

Pellet stoves may be installed and used, but it must be a model of pellet stove that has been approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. If you reside within the City and County of Denver you must still get a permit to operate the stove on high pollution days. To find out if a pellet stove is approved, call 720-865-5452 with the manufacturer name and model number.

High Pollution Days

High pollution days are that period of time in which the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment anticipates levels of carbon monoxide or particulates (i.e. wood smoke) exceeding federal ambient air quality standards or when air pollution standards are exceeded for particulates, carbon monoxide, or visibility. Each day during high pollution season will be given in a “RED DAY” or “BLUE DAY” status. On “RED DAYS”, non-phase II solid-fuel-fired devices (i.e. fireplaces) are not allowed to be operated. Only EPA phase II approved solid-fuel-fired devices that have been permitted by the Denver Department of Environmental Health, Environmental Protection Division are allowed to be operated. On “BLUE DAYS”, non-phase II and phase II devices are allowed to be operated without a permit. To find out the current pollution status, please call 303-758-4848 (24 hours/day). Status conditions remain in effect for 24 hours and are updated daily at 4:00 p.m. It is each individual’s responsibility to know the pollution status before lighting a fire.

Denver Department of Environmental Health Wood Burning Permits

A wood-burning permit is a written exemption to the solid-fuel burn (“RED DAY”) prohibition authorizing a specified activity (wood burning), issued by the manager of the Denver Department of Environmental Health, which may include conditions and an expiration date established by the manager. Only residential households within the City and County of Denver operating an EPA phase II solid-fuel-fired device can receive wood burning permits from the Denver Department of Environmental Health. For households outside of Denver check with your municipality or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division.

Temporary Permits

If the primary heating system (i.e. electric or natural gas furnace) for a home is temporarily inoperative a permit may be granted to operate a non-phase II device. Permits issued for this cause shall be issued only for the time required to restore the primary heating system to safe and efficient operation and shall in no case be issued for a period exceeding 30 days.

Applying for A Burning Permit

Please click Wood Burning Permit Application for a printable application form, or call 720-865-5452. Permits are currently free to all residences and businesses within the City and County of Denver.

Remember, non-phase II solid-fuel-devices may not be installed or sold within the 6 county Denver Metro Area. These devices are also not to be operated on "RED DAYS". Any installation of a solid fuel fired device must be permitted and installed in accordance with the Denver Building Department code.

To report residence burning of a non-phase II solid-fuel-device on a "RED DAY", please contact the Colorado Department of Environmental Health Wood Burning Hotline at 303-692-3280. This number can be used for the entire 6 county Denver Metro Area. You can also use this number for general information questions. To contact the Denver Department of Environmental Health for residential wood burning questions/concerns within the City and County of Denver, call 720-865-5452.