Fireworks Over Coors Field Never Cease To Amaze! Photo credit: Lenny Lensworth Frieling

How Fireworks Light Up the Sky

Fireworks are like the ultimate party flex—little bombs that blast colors and patterns into the night. Here’s the deal, broken down Lensworth-style:

The Setup:

Each firework’s an aerial shell, like a cosmic taco stuffed with goodies, wrapped in paper or plastic. Inside, you got:

• Burst Charge: The big boom, usually black powder (gunpowder), that splits the shell open mid-air.
• Stars: Tiny pellets loaded with chemical mojo for colors and sparkly effects.
• Fuse: A time-delay fuse that sparks the burst at the perfect moment.
• Propellant: Down in the launch tube (aka mortar), this kick launches the shell sky-high.

Launch Game:

They load the shell in a mortar tube, hit it with an electric spark or quick fuse, and whoosh—it rockets 100 to 500 feet up. The fuse burns while it climbs, timin’ the explosion just right.

Boom and Shine:

The burst charge goes kablam, lightin’ up the stars, which burn to make those sick colors and shapes. Check the chemistry:

• Red: Strontium salts, like strontium carbonate, for that fire-truck glow.
• Blue: Copper compounds, like copper chloride, givin’ that deep ocean vibe.
• Green: Barium nitrate, bringin’ that lime-green pop.
• Yellow/White: Sodium or magnesium/aluminum for sunny or sparkly flashes.
• Sparks: Iron or titanium for those glittery trails.

The way they pack the stars sets the pattern—peony, chrysanthemum, or willow.

Pro Status:

Shows like the Rockies’ are next-level, with computers timin’ every shot to vibe with music. They set up in a safe zone (like behind left field and scoreboard at Coors Field) so no one’s catchin’ debris. Pure pro moves. They do let us fill the field, lying on our backs as the show explodes right over our heads! Talk about an immersion experience!

Each Burse Is A Separate Shell. Photo credit Lenny Lensworth Frieling

How Much the Rockies Droppin’ on Fireworks?

Now, let’s talk cash—how much are the Rockies spending to make Coors Field sparkle? Big shows like theirs are NOT cheap. Here’s the scoop,  based on web info:

Show Costs:

A pro fireworks display, like the Rockies’ 15-to-20-minute bangers, runs $10,000 to $50,000. For Coors Field’s July 4th or 5th shows (per the 2025 schedule on mlb.com), I’d bet $25,000 to $35,000 each show. Why? They’re blastin’ hundreds of high-end shells (3 to 6 inches, $50 to $200 a pop) for 40,000+ fans.

What’s Addin’ Up?

• Shells: Bigger shells, bigger bucks. A 6-inch shell can hit $200, and they might fire 500 to 1,000 per show.
• Crew: Pyrotechnicians, setup folks, and safety pros cost $5,000 to $10,000.
• Permits and Safety: Denver’s permits run a few hundred, plus fire safety (like havin’ the Denver Fire Department on deck) adds more.
• Choreography: Music-synced shows mean fancy computer systems and extra plannin’—cha-ching.

Rockies Vibe:

With 3 to 5 shows a season, they’re droppin’ $75,000 to $175,000 total. Pricey, but it keeps the stands packed and fans hyped. Web sources like Fireworks.com and Pyrotechnics Guild back this range, though some throw out wild numbers ($1,000 to $100,000). For a MLB team, it’s premium but not insane.

Fireworks Shot From Behind The Scoreboard. Photo Credit Lenny Lensworth Frieling

The Catch:

No exact Rockies numbers on X or the web, but fans on X are lovin’ these shows, making it worth the cost. Smaller displays might be cheaper, but Coors Field goes big for that 15-to-20-minute wow factor.

More Of The Coors Field Fireworks Show. Photo credit Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Extra Fireworks Factoids

• Shapes and Patterns: Want to know how they make hearts or smileys? They pack stars in specific designs inside the shell. Rockies prob use peony or chrysanthemum shells for those big, round bursts.
• Eco Flex: Some folks push “green” fireworks with less smoke, but pro shows like the Rockies’ stick with traditional for max impact.
• Safety Hustle: The crew sets up hours early, checkin’ every shell and wire. At Coors Field, they lock down the launch zone, and Denver Fire’s ready to roll.

Fireworks Stars. Photo Credit Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Fan Hype:

X posts from Rockies games go wild for the fireworks. Fans stick around, phones out, snappin’ vids as the sky lights up. It’s a whole mood. While video of game action is prohibited, video of the fireworks is encouraged!

Bringin’ It Home

Wrapping it up, fireworks are chemical wizardry packed into shells, launched high, and timed to pop off with colors that make you lose it. The Rockies are likely spending’ $25,000 to $35,000 per show to keep Coors Field lit, with hundreds of shells and a pro crew making it pop. Kudos to Phish! Newsbreak reports that these rock heroes paid for the show!!! Thank you! The view from the field was trippy and marvelous! 

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge is Power!

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com