Colorado July 4th fireworks 2024 schedule

 
 

It’s almost time for America’s birthday bash — the Fourth of July — and many around Denver and across Colorado will celebrate it with fireworks and drone displays.

It’s important to remember that in most areas of Colorado, fireworks are prohibited if they leave the ground. In other areas, all fireworks — including sparklers and ground-based fireworks — are illegal.

FOX31 compiled this list of permitted events happening across the state.

Colorado fireworks shows: Full list

Arvada: The city has celebrated Independence Day since 1979 with fireworks at the Stenger Sports Complex, 11200 W. 58th Ave. The show is slated to begin just after 9 p.m., but the Stenger Sports Complex gates will open to vehicles at 6:30 p.m. and food trucks will be in the area.

Aurora: Celebrate July Fourth in Aurora from 6-10 p.m., with fireworks planned for 9:30 p.m. The event is set to take place at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, and will feature a variety of musical performances, food trucks and other entertainment.

Breckenridge: The city of Breckenridge holds a variety of July Fourth celebrations, starting at 7 a.m. with the Independence Day 10K. The National Repertory Orchestra is scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Because of fire risks, the city does not have fireworks displays.

Boulder: The city is not planning a July Fourth celebration, citing the end of a private-public partnership with a real estate group that provided funding for the Folsom Field event.

Brighton: The Adams County “Stars & Stripes Celebration” is on July 3 and is planned to start at 4 p.m. at Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road. Country singer Thomas Mac is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m., and a fireworks display is planned for 9:30 p.m.

Broomfield: Join the Great American Picnic at Broomfield County’s Commons Park at 13200 Sheridan Blvd. The events start at 5 p.m. and will include inflatables, concessions, food vendors and a beer garden, and a music show is planned to begin at 6 p.m. End your evening with a bang with fireworks planned for 9:15 p.m.

Buena Vista: The town’s annual festivities start with a parade at 8 a.m. on historic Main Street, followed by a vendor festival at McPhelemy Park that will feature local beer and wine vendors, food trucks and live music. The American Legion Post 55 is sponsoring fireworks at 8:30 p.m. (around dusk).

Castle Rock: Fireworks will begin at sundown (approximately 9:30 p.m.) with a “high-flying, 15-minute fireworks show” that will be set off from the former Acme Brick facility on Prairie Hawk Drive. A three-shot salute will start the show. In the event of a rain or severe weather event, the fireworks show will be moved to July 5.

Colorado Springs: The main event planned in Colorado Springs is the Star Spangled Symphony and Fourth of July Fireworks show scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Pikes Peak Center in downtown Colorado Springs. The performance is broadcast on several radio stations in conjunction with 10 fireworks shows and will be followed by a fireworks show as well.

Commerce City: The 4thFest is a free event outside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and is a partnership with the Colorado Rapids team. The city is planning a block party with a live DJ, drinks, food trucks, a quad trampoline, a rock-climbing wall and an LED wall to stream the Rapids’ game. The night will conclude with “one of the largest public fireworks shows” in Colorado.

Cripple Creek: The city is hosting the 2024 Fourth of July Fireworks celebration starting “about 20 minutes after dusk,” which the city reported to be about 9:30 p.m. The show will be set off from the south side of town.

Durango: The city of Durango’s Fourth of July celebration will once again feature fireworks, planned for 9:15 p.m. as part of the downtown street party. Other events during the day include magic shows, eating contests, bands, a scavenger hunt and so many more.

Englewood: The city’s annual firework celebration will be held at Centennial Park, 321 Union Road, and is scheduled for 10 p.m. A rain date has been scheduled for July 5.

Estes Park: The Fourth of July in Estes features a live musical performance by El Loco Fandango, a ZZ Top tribute band and fireworks displayed over Lake Estes. The event is scheduled for July Fourth from 6-10 p.m., but to be in the grandstand you must purchase tickets, available here.

Firestone: Celebrate the 22nd Annual 4th at Firestone at Miners Park. The city is planning events beginning at 8 a.m., including a parade and beer garden. A fireworks display is planned for 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Golden: The city will not have any fireworks in 2024, although the Golden Lions Club is hosting the annual 4th celebration in Lions Park on 10th Street. The event will feature bands, food and drink and kids’ games, among other activities.

Grand Lake: The town of Grand Lake is planning its fireworks display for July 4 at about 10 p.m. “over the lake.” The display is set to be 30 minutes long, but potential fire bans could cancel the event.

Greeley: There is one professional fireworks display planned for the Greeley area on July 4 at about 9 p.m. The display is part of the Greeley Stampede, which is held at the fairgrounds.

Highlands Ranch: Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Community Association and the Highlands Ranch Metro District are planning a joint July Fourth fireworks display at about 9:30 p.m. The timing is contingent on the weather and if there are any fire bans. The display will be held at Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St.

Kremmling: See the “Fire Up the Cliffs” at Kremmling Town Square, with an event scheduled from 5-10 p.m. set to include live music, food, a beer garden and more. The fireworks display is set to begin at dusk.

Lakewood: The Big Belmar Bash promises to entertain the Lakewood and Belmar communities on July 3 from 5-10 p.m. at the intersection of South Teller Street and West Alaska Drive. Live bands, local vendors and a variety of food and drinks will be available at the event. The event will be capped off with a drone show at about 9:15 p.m., rain or shine. MIX 100.3 will provide a soundtrack for the airborne light show.

Littleton: The Foothills Park and Recreation District is hosting “Red, White and You” on July 3 from 5-10 p.m. in Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. The event will feature vendors, a kids zone area, beer and wine garden and a free concert at 7 p.m. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. and will launch south of the amphitheater. The display is fire-ban and weather-dependent.

Longmont: The Skyline Kiwanis Club is handling this year’s fireworks show in Longmont. The display is set to launch at 9:30 p.m. on July 4 from the Longmont Fire Training Center at 111 1st Avenue, which is a new location from years past. The St. Vrain Valley School District Drone Academy, sponsored by NextLight, “will provide additional magic in the sky.”

Lone Tree: Party in Prairie Sky Park on July Fourth with the city of Lone Tree. Events start at 9 a.m. with a family fun ride and stroll, but they really kick off at about 6 p.m. with the party. Acoustic music performed by Ryan Cowell is set to begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a number of bands. At about 9:30 p.m., the fireworks display is scheduled to launch.

Louisville: Head to the Coal Creek Golf Course at 585 West Dillon Drive on July 4 for food, music and summer activities before the grand finale of a fireworks display scheduled to begin between 9:30-9:45 p.m. “If wind, weather, or a fire ban prevents a fireworks show on July 4th, the fireworks will be safely stored, and added to the 2025 show,” the city explained online. The display is launched from the Coal Creek Golf Course driving range.

Loveland: Loveland will celebrate Independence Day on July 4 at North Lake Park, 2750 N. Taft Avenue. Because of this, Lake Loveland Swim Beach is scheduled to be closed from July 2-4 and reopen on Friday, July 5. Many youth-centric activities, food trucks and other vendors are set to be present, and a children’s bike parade precedes the fireworks display at about 3:30 p.m. The fireworks display will launch from the swim beach over Lake Loveland at about 9:17 p.m.

Northglenn: The July 4 festival and fireworks are scheduled from noon to 10 p.m. on July 4 at the E.B. Rains Jr. Community Park, 11800 Community Center Drive. Events are planned throughout the afternoon, including a car show, vendor festival, beer garden, duck derby race and live music. Fireworks are planned for 9 p.m., based on the weather.

Ouray: If you’re up for the early mornings, the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July in Ouray is the place to be — at 7 a.m. for the Ourayce, a fundraiser for Home Trust of Ouray County that starts at City Hall. Other events are planned throughout the day, including kid’s games at Fellin Park and a water fight at 2 p.m., courtesy of the volunteer fire department. Fireworks are scheduled to end the night after the Jeep light parade.

Parker: Parker is hosting a fireworks display on July 4 at about 9:30 p.m. The display will launch from Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road, with no associated event.

Pueblo: Celebrate July Fourth the southern Colorado way: on the Pueblo Riverwalk. Events begin at 4 p.m. with food trucks and a ceremony by the Veterans Ritual Team. Rhett Haney will perform at 7:45 p.m., and fireworks, weather permitting, will launch at 9:30 p.m. from the roof of the Main Street parking garage.

Rangely: The Rangely Chamber of Commerce is hosting Fourth of July festivities on July 3 beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature live music, food trucks, games and other activities. The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display over Kenney Reservoir, which will be launched by Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District at dusk.

Sheridan: The cities of Sheridan, Englewood and Littleton are hosting a celebration on July 4 from 5-10 p.m. at the Cornerstone and Belleview Parks in Englewood, located at 5150 S. Windermere St.

Thornton: The party starts at noon in Thornton at Carpenter Park Fields, located at the intersection of 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The event will have food, live entertainment and beer gardens, all culminating with a parachutists jump at 9:30 p.m. followed by the “Red, White and Boom Fantabulous Fireworks” display.

Timnath: The Timnath Reservoir will be the site of live entertainment, family activities, food trucks and other vendors on July 4 beginning at 6 p.m. The night will end with a “pyro-musical and spectacular firework show” that will be launched over the reservoir. It’s scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

Vail: From 10 a.m. to noon, Vail is holding a Fourth of July parade, but the real slate of events begins at 2 p.m. with a concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Amp. The city is planning a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. that will launch from Golden Peak, weather permitting.

Water World: No, this isn’t a city-run event, but Water World is hosting a drone show preceding July 4 on Saturday, June 29. Tickets to be up close and personal at Thunder Bay are available for purchase, but the amusement park promised that the show will be “viewable for many miles surrounding the park.”

Westminster: The cities of Westminster and Northglenn are planning their annual fireworks display for July 4 at about 9:15 p.m., sponsored by St. Anthony North Health Campus. The firework display will be held at Westminster City Park and shuttles will be available from the Front Range Community College and the MAC.

Winter Park: Winter Park is planning a “rousing, free concert and light show” at Rendezvous Event Center from 6-9 p.m. on July 4, but there will be no fireworks. Live music will be provided by Buckstein and DJ Jen G, the latter of whom will play during the light show, which will end the night.

Read more at KDVR.com

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Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

 
 

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now.

You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do.

The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of factors: geo-political uncertainty, inflation and the economy, and more. And trying to pin down when all those factors will line up enough for rates to come down is tricky.

That’s why it’s generally not worth it to try to time the market. There’s too much at play that you can’t control. The best thing you can do is control the controllables.

And when it comes to rates, here’s what you can influence to make your moving plans a reality.

Your Credit Score

Credit scores can play a big role in your mortgage rate. As an article from CNET explains:

You can’t control the economic factors influencing interest rates. But you can get the best rate for your situation, and improving your credit score is the right place to start. Lenders look at your credit score to decide whether to approve you for a loan and at what interest rate. A higher credit score can help you secure a lower interest rate, maybe even better than the average.”

That’s why it’s even more important to maintain a good credit score right now. With rates where they are, you want to do what you can to get the best rate possible. If you want to focus on improving your score, your trusted loan officer can give you expert advice to help.

Your Loan Type

There are many types of loans, each offering different terms for qualified buyers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says:

There are several broad categories of mortgage loans, such as conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. Lenders decide which products to offer, and loan types have different eligibility requirements. Rates can be significantly different depending on what loan type you choose.”

When working with your team of real estate professionals, make sure you find out what’s available for your situation and which types of loans you may qualify for.

Your Loan Term

Another factor to consider is the term of your loan. Just like with loan types, you have options. Freddie Mac says:

When choosing the right home loan for you, it’s important to consider the loan term, which is the length of time it will take you to repay your loan before you fully own your home. Your loan term will affect your interest rate, monthly payment, and the total amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan.”

Depending on your situation, the length of your loan can also change your mortgage rate.

Bottom Line

Remember, you can’t control what happens in the broader economy. But you can control the controllables.

Let’s connect to go over the things you can do that’ll make a difference. By being strategic with these factors, you may be able to combat today’s higher rates and lock in the lowest one you can.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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Does Your Driveway Need a Boost? 4 Types of Outdoor Lighting to Add For Looks, Safety & Even Insurance Discounts

 
 

When it comes to improving your home’s curb appeal, pretty landscaping, an attractive front door (and doormat!), or a fresh paint job on the exterior are great places to start. But have you considered lighting?

Driveway and front-of-house lighting can be transformative, illuminating dark pathways, driveways, and dormers to beautiful effect. It can even get you a discount on your insurance policies and increase your property value.

If your home at night is the black box on the block, here are four types of lighting to consider for a more welcoming (and safer!) outdoor atmosphere.

If you want to create a dreamy walking path: Add some path lights.

Path lights are exactly what they sound like: they illuminate walking paths! Not only is this an important safety feature to prevent you or someone else from falling or tripping over steps or potted plants, pathway lights can also offer lovely, atmospheric lumination. The most common type of path lights are individual, weather-proof lights that can be simply stuck into the ground, no hardwiring required. Place them along the walkway up to your front door, around the side of the house, or along your driveway. Many are also solar-powered, so they’re pretty and energy-efficient.

Buy them:

XMCosy+ Solar Pathway Lights, $60 for a set of four at Amazon

Hampton Bay Duncan Outdoor Solar Path Light, $18 for a four-pack at The Home Depot

Member’s Mark 4-Piece LED Solar Path Lights, $20 at Sam’s Club

If adding an extra layer of safety is what you’re after: Go with flood lights.

Perfect for placing over the garage (especially if your garage door faces a dark alleyway) or around your backyard, flood lights have a wide, bright coverage area and can be mounted on trees, poles, fences, or built structures. Often motion-activated, flood lights provide extra security by lighting up large areas quickly. They may not offer the prettiest light around, but their functionality makes them a valuable addition to any outdoor lighting plan. Not to mention, they may help you qualify for a protective device discount on your homeowners insurance (sometimes of up to 15%). Be sure to check with your agent for further details.

Buy them:

LEPOWER LED Motion Sensor Outdoor Flood Light, $40 at Amazon

MaxDetect 240-Degree Motion Activated Wired Outdoor Flood Light, $50 at The Home Depot

Enbrighten 180-Degree Hardwired LED Motion-Activated Flood Light, $90 at Lowe’s

If your driveway could use an upgrade: Try recessed paver lights.

Love the idea of lighting your driveway or deck but want a clean, streamlined look? Recessed lights like paver lights or paver dot lights offer subtle, elegant illumination. Not only will they improve the safety of your driveway by keeping it sufficiently lit at all times, but they emit a soft, sophisticated glow for immediately improved curb appeal—and possibly even increased property value. Redoing your driveway soon? Consider adding these during installation, but don’t worry if you aren’t. They can still be installed even with an existing driveway or path.

Buy them:

Paver Lights, from $40 at Lumengy

Recessed Paver Dot LED Lights, from $23 at Dekor

If you’re looking for a little drama: Install uplights.

Uplights are spotlights that direct light, well, up! Place them at the base of trees, underneath windows, or around the bottom of your house to spotlight interesting architecture or make your house look like it’s “glowing” from within.

Buy them:

Gardenreet Solid Brass Landscape Spotlight, $150 for a four-pack at Walmart

Argolis Architectural LED Low Voltage Directional Uplight, $159 at Alcon

VOLISUN Outdoor Uplights, $42 for a six-pack at Amazon

Read more at Realtor.com

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5 Costly Kitchen Problems That First-Time Homebuyers Often Overlook

 
 

Probably the most exciting part of home shopping is when you spot a house that makes you swoon.

And more often than not, it’s the gleaming, glorious kitchen that does people in.

Maybe it’s the French doors in the kitchen leading to the patio. Or the shiny backsplash that extends up to the skylit ceiling. Or that ample farmhouse sink that conjures fantasies of your living a Chip and Joanna Gaines–charmed life.

While it’s understandable, even exciting, to fall in love with a home, watch out: Love has a way of blinding buyers to some considerable problems.

To help you spot these kitchen flaws before they dupe you, too, we asked real estate agents and designers to point out these hidden issues that first-time homebuyers often miss. Here are some easy-to-overlook blind spots to check, lest you wind up with some major regrets and costly renovations once you’ve moved in.

1. Illogical layouts

Efficient workstations and smooth traffic flow are crucial in a kitchen, yet it might be hard for newbies to assess how well a layout will work for them.

Will that peninsula, for example, be a helpful food prep station—or a clutter magnet? A galley-style kitchen may look fantastic, but if you’re constantly bumping into others as you prep for dinner, it’ll get on your nerves, fast. Or if you need a ton of counter space, that tiny peninsula might not be enough for you and your kids.

How to avoid buyer’s regret: Focus on how much counter space you use in your current home or would like to use when making a meal. Bring your measuring tape when you tour homes. In particular, scope out the kitchen work triangle where you’ll be spending the bulk of your time.

Ideally, the sink, fridge, and stove should all be within the same general vicinity to keep you from running to and fro.

2. Entertainment space

Also, go beyond meal prep considerations and imagine how you’ll really use the space.

“A kitchen layout might be practical for everyday cooking but lack the entertaining aspect, like wine storage or a proper place to make drinks,” points out Allie Mann, senior designer with Case Architects & Remodelers, in Falls Church, VA.

How to avoid buyer’s regret: Evaluate the basic layout, keeping in mind your wish list. Check if that kitchen island has an overhang, which makes for more comfortable seating for guests. Or do you need to knock down a wall to make room? Just know that opening up a kitchen can be pricy or even impossible if the wall in question bears weight, so make sure to know what you can (and can’t) remove.

3. Insufficient storage

Open shelving in kitchens is all the rage today. But unless you’re an austere minimalist, all your dishes might not fit—or if they do, do you want them all on display for all to see?

How to avoid buyer’s regret: If you’re swooning over a kitchen’s open shelves, just make sure there’s enough cabinet space elsewhere for your bigger or less attractive items such as pots and pans.

If you need to replace the cabinets or build a pantry, calculate the cost. To add a pantry, for instance, you might be looking at stealing 30 inches for a 2-foot-deep closet, as well as spending anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, says Mann.

4. Missing appliances

Realtor.com quotes, “The couple just assumed that there’d be one, but this was an older house and the seller dined out a lot, so never bothered to put one in,” they say. “That’s why multiple visits [when possible] are important. Something you missed the first time may reveal itself the next time.”

How to avoid buyer’s regret: First-time homebuyers benefit from being methodical. Create a checklist of appliances/features and keep it on your phone as you tour, or download an app that helps you take notes.

Dishwasher, check? Washer/dryer in working order, check?

These details are all too easy to overlook as you walk through a house and soak in its vibe. Each could add at least hundreds, if not more, to your budget.

5. Appliances that are too small or too large

Shiny appliances are always exciting, but don’t forget to think about their size, too.

“People can be so enamored by the finishes of a kitchen that they don’t consider that perhaps the 30-inch stovetop is inadequate,” says Mann.

In the same vein, the fabulous fridge with a “Brady Bunch” capacity could be far more than what a singleton or young couple with no kids needs.

How to avoid buyer’s regret: Even if you are impressed by a kitchen and think it’s fabulous, stop, look, and size up those appliances.

Will you have room for three different pots boiling on the cooktop? Is the fridge and freezer as wide and deep as what you have now? Know this before you reach “accepted offer” status.

Read more at Realtor.com

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Selling Smart: Why a Real Estate Agent Makes All the Difference

 
 

If you’re considering selling your house on your own as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), you want to think about if it’s really worth the extra stress.

Going this route means shouldering a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and, if you’re not an expert, that opens the door for mistakes to happen and can quickly become overwhelming.

A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows two key areas where people who sold their own house struggled the most: pricing and paperwork.

Here are just a few of the ways an agent makes those tasks a whole lot easier.

Getting the Price Right

Setting the right price for your house is important. And, if you’re selling your house on your own, two common issues can happen. You might ask for too much money (overpricing). Or you might not ask for enough (underpricing). Either can make it hard to sell your house. According to NerdWallet:

“When selling a home, first impressions matter. Your house’s market debut is your first chance to attract a buyer and it’s important to get the pricing right. If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing.

 . . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”

To avoid these problems, team up with a real estate agent. Agents know how to figure out the perfect price because they have a deep understanding of the local housing market. And they’ll use that expertise to set a price that matches what buyers are willing to pay, giving your house the best chance to impress from the start.

Understanding and Performing Paperwork

Selling a house involves a bunch of paperwork and legal documentation that has to be just right. There are a lot of rules and regulations to follow, and that makes it a bit tricky for homeowners to manage everything on their own. Without a pro by your side, you could end up facing liability risks and legal complications.

Real estate agents are experts in all the contracts and paperwork needed for selling a house. They know the rules and can guide you through it all, reducing the chance of mistakes that might lead to legal problems or delays. As an article from First American explains:

“To buy or sell a home you need to accurately complete a lot of forms, disclosures, and legal documents. A real estate agent ensures you cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’ to help you avoid having a transaction fall through and/or prevent a costly mistake.”

So, instead of dealing with the growing pile of documents on your own, team up with an agent who can be your advisor, helping you avoid any legal bumps in the road.

Bottom Line

Selling a house on your own can cost you a lot of time and stress. Connect with a local real estate agent so you have help with all the finer details, including setting the right price, handling all the paperwork, and so much more. That way you can take that stress off of your plate.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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