For decades, the Fourth of July fireworks show for the region was always held at Lake DeWeese Reservoir. The yearly spectacular was hosted by the Wet Mountain Valley Volunteer Fire District and also served as a fundraiser. The setting was superb as the fireworks sparkled, snapped, and boomed over the lake, with the outline of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains still visible in the twilight. However, the problems with the location mounted over the years. Fire, drought, canceled shows, insurance costs, and the struggle to get people trained for the event. In addition, the human impact on the land around the lake was becoming more visible with each passing year. Thousands of cars, trucks, and campers spread out in a disorganized jumble on the hills…