The only time BLM and FS people get excited is if the group reaches 30 people. Then a permit needs to be in place.

Back to the topic though, we have used several parks in the Westminster/Broomfield area and never had any issues. The one in Longmont is a common place too. There are other properties that are state owned and accessible for launches, you have to find them via the walk in lands list or map. I think the best place to start there is with the Dept of Wildlife list for walk in hunting.
Other maps are available that have color coded areas showing state trust, County, BLM, FS and private lands. A typical county map has these areas marked and are more accurate than an inclusive state map. So, that is where I would start if I were you and I didn't want to use a park.....

Thanks Greg. I am familiar with the land access maps as an occasional hunter. The group I am referencing is only about 6 people max. To be honest, unless the Fire Marshal gives me a thumbs up I simply won't be doing it in/near town and will wait for club dates. I'll make my case with my friends too if the Marshal says "no" but they are on their own.

I placed a call into the Fire Marshal in Fort Collins yesterday afternoon but haven't heard back yet. I'll let everyone know what he says.

I don't think I would have ever thought to ask the fire marshal for permission. I personally wouldn't give him the opportunity to shut me down. I would be more of the mind to ask him what the regulations are and leave it at that. If he asked me, I would tell him and invite him along. I know several firemen and as someone said, they love stuff like this.

In this case the Fire Marshall is a really good guy! He said in Fort Collins "You are good to go, no restrictions." He was very nonchalant about it too. I'm not much for asking "permission" either and in this case I was asking about any restrictions within city limits rather than seeking permission per se. So there we have it...launch away in Fort Collins with the sport motors. Though the Marshal made no comments on safety measures other than "common sense" I think a lot of the inputs on this thread are still good to follow.

John

Hughes Stadium near the foothills is a great place to launch. Contact the campus and ask them. I've done there before on weekends and usually the place is packed with people walking their dogs, walking, running, etc. Wide open on the south side.

Edward

Hughes Stadium near the foothills is a great place to launch. Contact the campus and ask them. I've done there before on weekends and usually the place is packed with people walking their dogs, walking, running, etc. Wide open on the south side.

Edward

Good thinking - I use to fly my RC planes on the south side where the old road into the stadium is. I was a student though and never though of asking. Naivety is grand.
In all seriousness though, you do have to watch for topless equestrians who ride the canal to the west - that is if you have children present. Then a good pair of "rocket" spotting binoculars is handy. 😛 I can tell you first hand it is a popular spot for the ladies. I bouldered on the north end of the stadium where the dam is and that was where they turned around most of the time. 😯

to clarify the rules, anything under a pound (total weight) and no more then 40g of propellant can be flown with out a waiver. From 1 pound up to 1500g with no more then 125g of propellant requires a notification. Anything above that requires a waiver.

All launches need to have land owner or manager permission but you also need to fallow the city/county laws. most cities classified rockets in with fireworks so is illegal in most cities. Some will issue a permit if you have land owner/manager permission and others may also look the other way until something happens.

Stick to the sanctioned launches were you are insured and have the resources for launching and fire prevention.

From 1 pound up to 1500g with no more then 125g of propellant requires a notification.

To even further muck things up, the notification needs to be done to the nearest FAA facility. I've launched out at the RC field west of Arvada on Hwy 93 and called Jeffco's tower. The really didn't care (or knew about the rule).