Keep Your Butts in Your Cars

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — It wasn’t nearly as large or destructive as the Waldo Canyon Fire, but for the 51 families who lost their homes in the Hi Meadow Fire in Jefferson County back in 2000, it was every bit as painful.

Especially when residents learned it was caused by a cigarette.

We hit the streets of Denver Tuesday to talk to smokers, and found plenty of people flicking their butts wherever they wanted. Some smokers told us they never thought twice about it.

“Did you ever think that could start a fire?,” we asked one smoker. The woman, who did not want to give her name, casually told us “Yes.”

Recently we’ve been asked what to do when you see someone throw a cigarette out a car window. According to the sheriff’s department, in order to file a report in these cases, you must have the license plate number and be able to visually identify the offender in the vehicle. Once that information is obtained, you can make the report by dialing 911 or by calling the sheriff’s department non emergency telephone number of the county in which the incident occurred. The Jeffco Sheriff non-emergency dispatch number is 303-277-0211. You may also report the incident to the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501.