DENVER — Denver’s police and fire departments reported that fireworks citations and seizures dropped by nearly half this Fourth of July weekend, compared with last year.

Police issued 34 citations and made 123 fireworks confiscations this year, said Sonny Jackson, spokesman for the Denver Police Department. That’s down from the 56 citations and 225 seizures in 2008.

Even during the days leading up to the holiday — not just on the Fourth — Jackson said complaints and reports were down by about half.

Authorities couldn’t peg the declines on a specific initiative or reason, but Jackson credited his agency’s continued fireworks-safety education and enforcement for playing a part, even though this year’s campaign was less extensive than in years past.

Read the full story on The Denver Post’s Web site