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Applications are now being accepted for the Colora

Applications are now being accepted for the Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program, providing up to four Colorado tourism partners 50 hours of free consulting from the IDA Colorado to implement activities that reduce light pollution and protect access to Colorado’s incredible night skies.
Copy the link for more information: https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-dark-sky-certification-mentor-program
This program is a partnership between the Colorado Tourism Office and the International Dark-Sky Association Colorado Chapter.

If you’re looking for some organized night sky p

If you’re looking for some organized night sky programs, head to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument! Florissant Fossil Beds partners with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to provide the opportunity to use telescopes and experience a laser pointer tour.
The next night sky program is this Friday, October 14th from 7:00-9:00 PM
There are also events on Friday, November 18th and December 16th, also from 7:00-9:00 PM.
To attend events, you will first need to stop by the Visitor Center where you will either show your pass or pay a daily entrance fee ($10). Remember to dress warm!!
Photo: “Milky Way at the Hornbek Homestead - Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument” by Mark Harter

If you’re looking for another incredible place t

If you’re looking for another incredible place to experience the serenity of Colorado skies, Mesa Verde National Park - the 100th International Dark Sky Park - is the place to go! The park is always open, but most sites, picnic areas, and trails close at sunset. Fear not! There are a few different ways to experience Mesa Verde Nights:
-Drive! You can drive through park roads at night as they remain open to the public (great for open sunroofs or top down drives!)
-Overlooks! Geologic Overlook, Mancos Overlook, and the Montezuma Valley Overlook (as well as other unnamed overlooks) provide extensive views of the night sky, all of which can be accessed anytime
-Camp! Morefield Campground and Far View Lodge are great places to spend the night under the stars. You can camp at these places through October!
Learn more at
https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
Photo: “Mesa Verde National Park Dwelling and Milky Way” by Bettymaya Foott

Interested in seeing up to 15,000 stars in a sky t

Interested in seeing up to 15,000 stars in a sky that is nearly as dark as it was 800 years ago? Check out Hovenweep National Monument, the 17th International Dark Sky Park! As the hiking trails are only open from sunrise to sunset, you can experience the incredible Hovenweep skies on your own from the vistor center parking lot or a campsight!
You can also join a ranger every Friday and Saturday until October 8th for a Star Program, which takes place from 8:00-8:45 pm in the vistor center parking lot. The program is free and consists of a constellation tour and stories behind some of the stars.
Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/hove/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
Image: “The Milky Way rises over Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Hovenweep National Monument, USA”; photo by Jacob W. Frank

For those of you looking to celebrate dark skies w

For those of you looking to celebrate dark skies with others who are passionate about preserving the night, head out to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve this Saturday, August 27th! The park protects some of the darkest skies in Colorado, making it the perfect location for a dark sky celebration! The event goes from 6:30 to 11:00 PM at the outdoor amphitheater. A ranger-led program will start at 8:30, followed by a telescope viewing. A kids’ activity and information table will also be there (with the opportunity to earn a special night sky patch!)
Learn more about the event at https://krdo.com/news/2022/08/17/great-sand-dunes-national-park-and-preserve-is-hosting-a-dark-sky-celebration/
If you can’t make the dark sky celebration, no worries! You can head out anytime on your own to enjoy the dark skies of the dunes or you can check out the Free Ranger programs. The September scheduled should be posted soon at https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm
so keep an eye out!
Photo: “Milky Way over Dunes” by NPS/Patrick Meyers

Want an excuse to get out and enjoy the dark skies

Want an excuse to get out and enjoy the dark skies of Colorado? Black Canyon of the Gunnison, an international dark sky park, is a prime location for stargazing and astrophotography. With an average darkness measurement of 21.5 (out of 23 - so pretty dang dark!), it is possible to see up to 5,000 stars in the park.
Head out on your own (the park does not close, so you can go enjoy the dark skies anytime throughout the night) or check out an Astronomy Ranger Program:
Constellation Tours - August 16 & 27 from 9:30-10:00 PM
Night Sky Viewing - August 20 & 22 from 9:30-10:30 PM
Also check out the 2022 Black Canyon Astro Fest September 22, 23, & 24 from 7:00-10:00 PM (or later!)
Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/astronomy.htm
Photo by Bettymaya Foott

Heading out to enjoy the night sky? Check out Cure

Heading out to enjoy the night sky? Check out Curecanti National Recreation Area, one of Colorado’s 15 Dark Sky Places! Join a Curecanti Ranger every Friday (and some Saturdays) at 9:00 PM this summer to learn more about the dark skies of Curecanti and to view objects with the Gunnison Valley Observatory’s telescopes! Here are a few of the events in August:
August 5 - A Webb of Exoplanets
August 12 - Observing the Moon
August 13 - Our Marvelous Moon
August 19 - Cygnus, the Celestial Swan
Learn more at https://www.gunnisonvalleyobservatory.org/visit-us
Photo: “Milky Way Galaxy as viewed from the Elk Creek Campground” by Troy Hunt

Dark sky study: Notice the clouds on the right sid

Dark sky study: Notice the clouds on the right side are a bright yellow / white, while the clouds to the left are dark gray. Dark clouds at night are rare, and can only be found at dark sites away from city sky glow. Photo by Aaron Watson@ www.darkskiespaonia.com #ilovedarkskies #milkyway #skyglow #coloradonightsky #idadarksky

Summertime in Colorado! The constellation Scorpius

Summertime in Colorado! The constellation Scorpius glides across the southern sky all night long ⭐Get out to one of Colorado's amazing dark sky places and see it for yourself!

June is Dark Sky Month in Colorado! Please plan yo

June is Dark Sky Month in Colorado! Please plan your nighttime activities with stewardship and preservation of the night sky in mind.
Photo: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - @bettymaya.foott
#careforcolorado #leavenotrace #internationaldarksky #stars #milkyway #colorado #RecreateResponsibly #idacolorado

CO Governor Polis signed Bill HB-1382 at the Smoke

CO Governor Polis signed Bill HB-1382 at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe on Friday the 27th. Thanks governor, and to all who show support for our Dark Skies. Join us at darksky.org and you are automatically enrolled as a member of our Colorado chapter! #idadarksky #darkskycommunity #nolightpollution #savethenight #darkskycolorado #coloradocares #lightsoutcolorado #jaredpolis #governorpolis

Lights Out Colorado for World Migratory Bird Day!

Lights Out Colorado for World Migratory Bird Day!
Here are ways you can contribute to the Lights Out solution:
Turn off exterior decorative lighting
Use shielding and aiming so that no light is emitted upwards
Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible
When converting to new lighting assess the quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology #idadarksky #lightsoutcolorado #dimthelightsforbirdsatnight #audubonsociety #audubonrockies #denveraudubon #enviromentfortheamericas #worldmigratorybirdday #turnoffthelights

This is a comprehensive and informative article. T

This is a comprehensive and informative article. Thanks to 5280 Magazine!
https://www.5280.com/2022/04/your-guide-to-stargazing-in-colorado/ #idadarksky #coloradodarksky #joinida #5280magazine #stargazing #coloradotourism #astrotourism #stoplightpollution

Big news! HB22-1382: Support Dark Sky Designation

Big news! HB22-1382: Support Dark Sky Designation And Promotion has passed in the CO legislature. Colorado continues to be at the forefront of the efforts to protect and restore dark skies and encourage better lighting. The well-being of humans and wildlife, energy savings, safety, and enjoyment of the night sky are indeed crucial to our future! Thanks to Representatives Mckluskie and Catlin, and Senator Donovan for their sponsorship of this bill.
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1382 #idadarksky #coloradodarksky #leadtheway #nolightpollution #coloradotourism #astrotourism #idadarkskycommunity #idadarkskypark

Bird migration is ramping up... Lights Out Colorad

Bird migration is ramping up... Lights Out Colorado!
Visit:
aeroecolab.com for Lights Out Alerts
lights-out-colorado.idacolorado.xyz for more information on what you can do and to take the Lights Out Pledge. #idadarksky #denveraudubon #audubonrockies #audubonsociety #lightsoutcolorado #birdmigration #aeroecolab #savethebirds #nolightpollution #turnoffthelights #springmigration

Many thanks to all who joined us for the IDSW star

Many thanks to all who joined us for the IDSW star party under the dark skies of Jackson Lake State Park last Saturday. Many members of Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (no pastor.org) were on hand with telescopes and imaging set-ups and the weather cooperated for much of the night. DAS and MacPeak observatory were represented as well, along with park and IDA folks. Join us at idacolorado.xyz and help to protect our beautiful Colorado skies! And check out these photos! 1. M101 Pinwheel Galaxy #sambo_slade S. Gorton, NCAS 2. Dark Shark Nebula #colorado_astro T. Lease
3. Morning blue hour Milky Way #lkkrides L. Kahananui #idsw2022 #idadarksky #astrophotography #stargazing #savethenight #nolightpollution #nocoastro #jacksonlakestatepark #darkskypark #keeplookingup #sambo_slade #colorado_astro

What can you do to protect the night from light po

What can you do to protect the night from light pollution? Swipe left to find out! #idadarksky #nolightpollution #coloradodarksky #joinida #idsw2022 #discoverthenight #bepartofthesolution
https://idsw.darksky.org/activities/dark-sky-friendly-home/

Happy International Dark Sky Week! Join the moveme

Happy International Dark Sky Week! Join the movement, you'll be in great company! darksky.org
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/dark-sky-tourism-is-on-the-rise-in-the-us #idadarksky #idsw2022 #coloradodarksky #lookup #stargazing #darkskyplaces

In one week: Jackson Lake State Park- Internationa

In one week: Jackson Lake State Park- International Dark-Sky Week Star Party!
April 30th at Jackson Lake State Park, “oasis on the plains,” currently Colorado’s only state park with an IDA dark-sky park designation
When: Saturday April 30, 2022 7:30 pm through daybreak
Where: Jackson Lake State Park
26363 County Road 3, Orchard, CO 80649 Northview Campground, sites 239, 240, 241
What: Storytelling, stargazing, telescopes, astrophotography... all taking place under the beautiful dark skies of Jackson Lake at New Moon. Learn more about IDA-CO, responsible lighting, and how you can be a part of the efforts to preserve Colorado’s dark skies.
Please use a red flashlight or headlamp to preserve our night vision while stargazing. Allow your eyes to adjust to the dark site and volunteers will be happy to assist as needed.
Cost: Free, though park entrance fee is required unless you have a CO state park pass. #idadarksky #idsw2022 #stargazing #discoverthenight

Dark Sky Week is here! Stay tuned for events and e

Dark Sky Week is here! Stay tuned for events and enlightenment 🖤🌌 #idadarksky #idsw2022 #discoverthenight #stoplightpollution #savethenight

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