TARGET 13: Illegal fireworks stands
Many Americans will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks. In Pueblo, 11 stands are authorized to sell fireworks to the public.
“Mostly anything that explodes really, flies in the air, makes noise,” said Jeffrey Hernandez.
One of many in Pueblo shopping for fireworks.
“I’ve already bought like $400 worth of fireworks this year already,” Hernandez said.
The state of Colorado banned fireworks that fly in the air, but that’s not stopping Hernandez.
“Sometimes I drive up to… Wyoming and buy them,” Hernandez said.
However, some are selling them locally and illegally.
Facebook pages titled- “Pueblo Fire-works” and “Pueblo West Fire-works” advertise that they sell illegal artillery shells, roman candles and black cats.
The suspected illegal fireworks stands are using the social media site to draw customers in. In order to buy, one must message them for an address.
And KRDO Newschannel 13’s Colleen Sikora did.
“What kind of fireworks are you guys selling?” asked Sikora. “Just small things,” replied a man at the house.
“Small things?” Sikora said. “Like bottle rockets,” the man replied.
“Oh, okay, because I saw on your Facebook page that there were some bigger ones as well,” said Sikora.
“Oh, I don’t know,” replied the man.
A woman at the house said they have licenses. But according to the Pueblo Fire Department’s list of approved stands, their address is not listed.
“We don’t want to talk to you about it, we don’t have to,” the woman at the house said.
Pueblo Police were dispatched to the house around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
“The police officers went to the reported place of business, and unfortunately no one would respond to the knocking on the door., they remained inside the doors,” said Erik Duran with Pueblo Fire Department.
Duran said the residence is now being watched, and authorities are doing what they can online to stop the sales.
“They keep popping up on Facebook. So anytime we see them when we’re actively searching those out, we’re reporting them to the Facebook authority,” Duran said.
Duran said the incident is a reminder for everyone.
“Without that state license, anyone who sells fireworks to the general public is doing it illegally, regardless whether they’re legal or not in Colorado,” Duran said.
