“Hundreds” of illegal fireworks were seized Tuesday from an east-side residence, Colorado Springs police said in an online blotter entry.

The considerable stash found in the 4500 block of Adieu Circle, near Carefree Circle and Oro Blanco Drive, included “display fireworks, mortars, and bottle rockets,” all likely purchased from a neighboring state, said police. The estimated value of the seized fireworks was several thousand dollars.

No arrests were announced.

It is unlawful for any person to possess, store, to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode any fireworks within the city of Colorado Springs, police said. The only exception is for paper caps for toy guns, or other paper cap fireworks containing no more than 1/2500 grain of explosive content per cap, such as snappers or poppers. Anyone violating that law faces a mandatory court appearance. Convictions carry a fine of up to $2,500 and/or 189 days in jail.

Those living outside the city limits have legal restrictions, too, though with some additional permissible types of fireworks. According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office state law prohibits the use of cherry bombs, Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, shells and rockets, M-80s and M-100s, and helicopters are all examples of illegal fireworks.

“A good rule of thumb: anything that explodes or leaves the ground are illegal in Colorado,” according to a Sheriff’s Office page on the subject. 

Certain types of fountains, ground spinners, torches, sparklers, toy propellants, and trick noise makers can be legal, though municipalities and counties can still outlaw those as well, so check local rules. 

Within Colorado Springs, you can report illegal fireworks by calling 719-444-7000.

Here are some of the area-specific rules on fireworks:

Fountain

Fireworks are legal inside the city limits of Fountain as long as they comply with state law, according to ordinance No. 1788.

The sale and use of any fireworks is approved only from May 31 to July 6. Legal fireworks are the ones sold in El Paso County fireworks booths and citizens must be 16 years of age or older to purchase, transport or sell.

The office of Fire Prevention Division recommends discharging all legal fireworks in a safe location. Safe locations are typically outside of homes and businesses, away from dry and/or combustible vegetation and combustible structures.

Manitou Springs

Similar to Colorado Springs, all types of fireworks are banned within Manitou Springs city limits, according to Manitou police. Only public and professional displays of fireworks are allowed.

Woodland Park

The use and sale of all fireworks within Woodland Park is prohibited per Chapter 9.80 of the town’s code of ordinances. If convicted of unlawful use or sale of fireworks, citizens can face a penalty of up to a year in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000

Monument

All fireworks, permissible and illegal, are unlawful within the town in accordance with Ordinance No. 15-2017. Any person caught selling or igniting fireworks is subject to a fine of up to $500 for each violation.

Teller County

Fireworks are illegal at all times in Teller County, outside of professional commercial displays.

Reporter Mack Bodell contributed to this report.