Public Policy Archives - DarkSky Colorado

This Winter, Be Safe and Smart with Artificial Light at Night

November 20, 2022/in Public Policy/by Dani

Photo by Bettymaya Foott
La Plata Mountains Panorama — La Plata Mountains Panorama, photo by Bettymaya Foott

By Deborah Price and Aaron Watson, IDA Colorado, 11/20/2022.

A lot of darkness in the winter means we depend more on good night vision when outside enjoying a twilight snowshoe tour or skiing down a cross-country trail. It may seem that a bright headlight is the best option for this, but that bright light may actually detract from the quality of your experience.

Once your eyes are exposed to a bright light, it takes at least half an hour for the rod cells in your eyes to re-adjust to darkness. A glaring light not only shuts down your pupils, but also draws your eyes towards that light and ignores everything else, isolating you from the surrounding environment.

Imagine walking through the woods at night with a flashlight on. Your eyes focus on the light ahead of you while all around you is pitch dark. If you turn the flashlight off, and take a few minutes for your eyes to start adjusting to the darkness, your natural night vision will kick in and you’ll start to see and be aware of everything around you. So go dark when you can for a wonderful nighttime experience.

When light is needed for outdoor winter nighttime activities, do what the astronomers do and try a red light because it has the least impact on your dark-adapted eyes and minimizes the impact of light pollution on the environment. Many headlamps come equipped with a red light setting for this purpose. If more light is needed, a green light is better for your eyes and for the environment than a blue or white light. A good practice is to use white light only in emergencies or other critical situations in order to have the least impact on your night vision, the environment, and those around you.

Another great way to experience the night is to plan accordingly and choose dates leading up to the full moon. The moon usually provides plenty of natural light for nighttime activities, and you’ll see so much more of the nightscape around you if you keep your artificial light to a minimum!

This winter, be safe and smart with artificial light at night. Let the natural light of the moon and stars be your beacon, have a backup light for safety, and enjoy the beauty of a cold, quiet, winter night!

For more information:

National Park Service: Dark Adaptation of the Human Eye and the Value of Red Flashlights

IDA Colorado Home

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Dark Sky Month 2022 Proclamation

June 2, 2022/in Advocates, Documents, Public Policy/by Dani

Governor Jared Polis declared June 2022 as “Dark Sky Month” in Colorado.

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Dark Sky Month June 2022

June 2, 2022/in Advocates, Documents, Public Policy/by Dani

Governor Jared Polis declared June 2022 as “Dark Sky Month” in Colorado.

“Dark skies in the Rocky Mountains are a Colorado treasure and a key attraction for our tourism industry. I’m grateful to the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter and Gov. Polis for prioritizing this natural resource and reminding all of us to reduce light pollution for the public’s health and well-being, as well as for our state’s wildlife and natural environment,” said Julie McCluskie, Colorado State Representative for House District 61.

Dark Sky Month June 2021

June 18, 2021/in Advocates, Documents, Public Policy/by Dani

Governor Jared Polis declared June 2021 as “Dark Sky Month” in Colorado.

“With the State’s ever-growing population, the commitment to protecting and preserving our natural nights and landscapes from excessive light pollution and trespass is as important now as ever. A special thanks to Governor Polis and his staff for their efforts in helping to protect Colorado’s legacy for future generations,” said Ryan Parker, Chair of the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter.

“Dark skies in the Rocky Mountains are a Colorado treasure and a key attraction for our tourism industry. I’m grateful to the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter and Gov. Polis for prioritizing this natural resource and reminding all of us to reduce light pollution for the public’s health and well-being, as well as for our state’s wildlife and natural environment,” said Julie McCluskie, Colorado State Representative for House District 61.

In the last few weeks, two Colorado parks, Mesa Verde National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, and the communities of Crestone, Nucla and Naturita received Dark Sky certification. With these added to the list, Colorado now has thirteen certified Dark Sky Places.

“We appreciate the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter and Audubon Rockies for their important advocacy to reduce the impacts of spill light, preserve our unparalleled Colorado night-time skies, and educate on the ecological benefits of dark skies,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “June is an appropriate month to celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of dark skies as more Coloradans venture outdoors with the warming weather and are awed by the brightness of the milky way and celestial planets.”