“You are in a very special place. 80% of Americans cannot see the type of night sky you have the privilege of viewing here. In recognition of our world-class views of the night sky, Colorado is home to a growing number of certified International Dark Sky Places where the natural night is protected and where residents and visitors can find programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with the night.” – Excerpt from the “Protect the Night” Poster included in the “Colorado Stargazing: Protect the Night” Media Kit
DarkSky Colorado invites residents and visitors to give back to the natural night by implementing efforts to restore and protect the night. The links below offer guidelines:
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Milky Way Over the Yampa River, Colorado Photo by Bettymaya Foott
By Martie Semmer, DarkSky Colorado
Nighttime is special on Colorado’s rivers. After a day of rafting, kayaking, or canoeing, the boats are secured for the night and it’s time to set up camp. You and your boating friends have practiced river safety and etiquette all day on the river. Nighttime safety and etiquette best practices are also important to the well-being of your river buddies, river runners camped upriver and down river, nocturnal wildlife, vegetation, and aquatic life.
Tips to enjoy and protect the night on the river when lighting is needed:
Shield and direct lighting for the intended task
Use headlamps/flashlights with warmer color options – such as red lighting
Avoid decorative and unnecessary lighting
Consider stargazing as an alternative to a campfire
River camping under the night sky with the moonlight, the stars, and/or the Milky Way dancing on the water offers a memorable experience beyond words.
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Polaris, “the North Star,” is fixed in the northern heavens to people in the northern hemisphere.
By Deborah Price, IDA Colorado Board, 11/6/2022.
It’s often disorienting to be outside at night, but nature gives us a shining compass to provide direction. If you’re outside in winter and want to know which way is north, look up! On a clear night you can find Polaris, our North Star, and figure out other directions from there.
Polaris just happens to be above Earth’s North Pole. Earth spins once every 24 hours, keeping Polaris to the North. To find this guiding star, look for the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is part of the larger constellation Ursa Major (Big Bear) but the Big Dipper itself is very large in the sky. The cup of the dipper is made up of four visible stars in a square-like pattern. The handle of the dipper extends out with three visible stars. To find Polaris, look for the two stars in the cup that are farthest from the tip of the handle (the outer edge of the cup). Draw an imaginary line from the bottom star through the top star straight out, and you will find Polaris. It’s not a bright star–it just happens to be in the right place!
Another fun fact is that Polaris is the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, which is much more difficult to see than the Big Dipper. If you keep that imaginary line going past Polaris, you’ll run into the constellation Cassiopeia, which looks like a big “W.”
Not only is it great to have this natural compass in the sky, but what a wonder it is to be able to see the stars! The less light pollution there is, the more you can see.
Turn off your lights, let your eyes adjust, and look up!
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The Support Letter Policy lists several questions for people who are applying for IDA recognition as a Dark Sky Place. The information gathered will help an IDA Colorado member guide your project to a successful conclusion.
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The Western Night Skies Council has re-launched the “Western Dark Sky Dashboard.” The new version covers all of the Western United States including Colorado, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Dashboard highlights all of the officially-recognized International Dark Sky Places in the Western U.S. The Dashboard is meant to be more comprehensive and interactive. It directs attention to the significant number of dark-sky conservation efforts throughout the Western States.
If you have questions about the Dashboard or its content please contact Aubrey Larsen, Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative Coordinator at [email protected]
Colorado Dark Sky Parks Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Dinosaur National Monument Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Hovenweep National Monument Jackson Lake State Park
Colorado Dark Sky Communities Norwood Ridgway Westcliffe & Silver Cliff
Congratulations to all involved in helping recognize these places.
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