What kind of wood stove can I install in Colorado?

updated 2.28.20

You probably landed here because you wanted to know the EPA regulations for Wood Heaters, and more specifically the List of all the approved wood stoves and fireplaces that are permitted to be sold and installed in Colorado. Basically, What kind of wood stove can I install in Colorado? What days can I use a fireplace in Denver? Is it a No Burn Day today? You will find all of that on this blog post about Colorado air quality and approved fireplaces for Colorado.

For Current List of Approved Wood stoves and Fireplaces Sold in Colorado

This list is used by the State of Colorado to approve the sale and installation of EPA Qualified Wood Heaters. Certain brands and models of burning devices are exempt from the regulation that bans indoor burning in the seven-county metro Denver area on air quality Action Days, and may be exempt from other municipal or county restrictions on burning devices. Check with your local jurisdiction for more information. These devices have been approved by Colorado or certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are designed to emit low levels of pollution.

Burning Restrictions

Indoor wood burning restrictions must be followed in the restricted area unless the device is exempt. Restrictions apply November-March during air quality Action Days. The restricted area includes Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, and Jefferson counties below 7,000 feet and areas west of Kiowa Creek in Adams and Arapahoe counties.

Exemptions

If any of the following are true, a device is exempt from burning restrictions:

• Device is on a list of certified or approved indoor burning equipment:
  • Phase II EPA-certified stoves.
  • Colorado-approved pellet stoves.
  • Colorado-approved masonry heaters.
• Device is located above 7,000 feet.
• Device is not certified or approved, but indoor burning is the primary source of heat and an exemption letter has been issued from the state or local jurisdiction.

Am I Exempt from EPA Regulations on My Wood Burning Stove or Fireplace?

If you meet any of these criteria, you may absolutely burn wood with a non-compliant wood stove or wood fireplace on a No Burn Day, or an Air Quality Action Day in or near Denver or Boulder, Colorado. Cannot believe this good news listed below? Click Here to see the Government site where we got it from!

• The wood burning stove is the primary source of heat (greater than 50% of annual heating of a residence*).
• The stove is EPA Phase II/ Colorado Phase III certified.
• The stove is an approved pellet stove.
• The area is above 7,000 feet in elevation.

The Big Lie- “You cannot burn wood anymore in Denver”

Many people have been fooled into thinking that wood stoves and wood burning fireplaces are no longer “legal.” This is simply not true. In fact it is a deceptive and misleading rumor promoted by websites and even government-run websites. It is legal and approved to burn wood on approved days of the year in Denver and Boulder and other areas in Colorado if you have a non-compliant wood burning stove or fireplace. Furthermore, it is legal and approved to burn wood in an EPA Phase II wood burning appliance on Air Quality Action Days, or No Burn Days. This is unbelievably good news for wood burning fireplace users who have invested in any wood burning appliance manufactured to 1988 standards. To recap and be clear, you may burn your approved wood burning stove or fireplace on No Burn Days, and you are 100% compliant. That is a far cry from “You cannot burn wood anymore in Denver” rumors! This blog post was written to combat the false rumors on the web and the widespread misconception about No Burn Days in Denver and Boulder, Colorado.

For Current and Forecast Air Quality Summary in Boulder, Colorado

If you live in Boulder and wish to know if you can burn your non-compliant wood burning stove on Air Quality Action Days, please click here.

For Current and Forecast Air Quality Summary for Entire State of Colorado

For the following all inclusive list of the state of Colorado including, Denver – Boulder, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction, Colorado River Valley, and Four Corners Area please click here. This website is most helpful and covers a wide variety of topics. Information about action days, EPA Phase II, exempt stoves, fuel type, individual stoves, masonry fireplaces, new installations in metro Denver, non-EPA Phase II stoves, pellet stoves, reporting violations, selling uncertified stoves, stove as a heat source, violations enforcement, and where restrictions apply.

Colorado Air Quality

Colorado Official Indoor Burning Advisory, Recorded Number 303-758-4848

Call this number to learn if the November to March air quality Action Days are in effect. Recorded indoor burning advisory number, 303-758-4848