In most years, fireworks that leave the ground are banned, but sparklers, glowworms, snakes and other fireworks have been legal. Not so in 2012.

On June 14, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper issued an executive order that banned the private use of fireworks statewide because of very dry conditions and high fire danger.

Why did the Governor ban private fireworks use? The governor's officer said the order was made, in part, because "Larimer County Commissioners requested a fireworks ban in parts of Northern Colorado where extreme fire danger exists. In response to these and other requests for an effective, uniform response to the high fire danger across the state, this executive order bans open burning in the state of Colorado."

Some callers to 7NEWS have said they've heard fireworks are legal in Lakewood and Longmont and other cities. Lakewood's website says: Fireworks of any kind are illegal in Lakewood. City law bans the sale and use of fireworks including sparklers, glowworms, snakes and all others. Fines for illegal fireworks are typically $300 but, given the high fire danger this year, could reach $1,000.

Longmont's website says: Remember that illegal fireworks (anything that left the ground) were not sold and have always been banned in Longmont. What the new ban does is stop the sales of sparklers, fountains, and snakes which were things that did not leave the ground. Fireworks of any kind are not permitted on private property, Longmont city streets, parks, golf courses, and other public areas. You can be fined up to $500 and be sentenced to 90 days in jail for using illegal fireworks. Longmont Police and Fire departments will be working to keep neighborhoods safe and ticket those who are not in compliance.

So why are fireworks being sold? The simple answer is that it's up to individual counties and communities to assess the risk in their area regarding fireworks sales. Sales are banned in four counties: Denver, El Paso, Jefferson and Larimer. Fireworks sales are also banned in unincorporated Boulder and Douglas counties. Adams and Arapahoe counties allow fireworks sales, but Arapahoe County has sent a letter to vendors asking them to close.