Sheriff bans sale, possession of fireworks

The Jeffco sheriff has banned the sale, use or possession of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, including on federal lands.

The Sheriff's Office issued the ban Tuesday after the county commissioners earlier in the day voted unanimously to give the sheriff authority to ban firework sales under terms of a new ordinance.

Violators will be subject to a $600 fine. Before the ordinance was passed, the sheriff had the authority only to ban use of fireworks, but sales were still allowed.