Fireplace, stove and chimney service in Evergreen

Evergreen is an unincorporated mountain community in Jefferson County, with about 9,300 people at the 2020 census. Its center sits at about 7,160 feet, near Evergreen Lake, which was created by damming Bear Creek in 1927. The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the median home at 1976 and 87 percent of homes as detached houses. Gas heats about 73 percent of homes and propane almost 6 percent, and wood is the main heat in about 2 percent, several times the share anywhere down in the metro.

That changes the work. In Evergreen we see more wood stoves and inserts that burn all winter, and more creosote. Gas and propane fireplaces need a careful altitude setup, since at this height they lose about a fifth of their input. At the free inspection we check the stove or fireplace, the liner and the chimney from the roof and from inside, take photos and write down every price first.

Above 7,000 feet: what the no-burn exemption covers

The state exempts devices located above 7,000 feet from the winter Action Day restrictions, and Jefferson County's wood-burning page limits its no-burn rule to homes below 7,000 feet. Evergreen's center sits just above that line, at about 7,160 feet, but not every home in the area does, so check your elevation before relying on it. Below 7,000 feet, unincorporated Jefferson County's policy sets fines of $100, $200 and $300 for first, second and third violations.

The exemption covers using a stove, not installing one. The state says any indoor burning device bought or installed in the seven-county metro must meet current emissions standards, whatever the elevation. A wood stove install typically runs $3,000 to $8,000 and an EPA wood insert with liner $3,000 to $7,000.

Stoves that burn all winter

A stove that runs every day builds creosote faster than a fireplace lit a few times a year. Heavy creosote removal typically runs $400 to $900, and we price the regular cleaning at the free inspection. NFPA 211, the national standard, calls for an inspection at least once a year. Jefferson County's policy also says that since January 1, 1990, no one may rent out a building where a wood stove or fireplace is the only heat.

Gas and propane fireplaces at 7,000 feet

Gas appliances usually lose about 4 percent of their input for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet, which works out to about 20 percent at Evergreen's elevation. A unit not set up for it can burn yellow, soot the glass and make more carbon monoxide. A yearly service typically runs $150 to $350.

Where we work in Evergreen

Downtown Evergreen · Bergen Park · Hiwan Hills · The Ridge at Hiwan · Evergreen Meadows · Soda Creek · Upper Bear Creek · North Turkey Creek