The Colorado Tourism Office and DarkSky Colorado seek to partner with tourism destinations across the state that are interested in advancing strategies that help achieve International Dark Sky Place (IDSP) certification and enhance Colorado’s visitor experience.  

Participants in the Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor program will receive 70 hours of free consulting from DarkSky Colorado to implement activities that reduce light pollution and protect access to Colorado’s incredible night skies. Successful implementation will increase Colorado’scompetitive edge as a destination and provide a wealth of benefits for Colorado communities.  

Program objectives include:  

• increased collaboration between state and local tourism leaders 
• reduced energy consumption and economic impact from cost savings and increased property value 
• increased local and regional quality of life through enhanced health and well-being, cultural heritage, and sense of place 
• increased awareness of the value ofvisible night skies and their benefit to local wildlife and ecology 
• increased number of IDSP certifications in Colorado

Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program Information

Interested in learning more about the mentorship program?

You can watch a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the slide deck we presented earlier this month that may answer many of your questions about the program. You can also download a copy of the application questions to prepare your responses beforehand.

Applications for places that want mentorship are open October 3 – November 9 for the second year of the Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program. This program will offer 70 hours of consulting to advance Dark Sky certification in communities, reserves, and parks.  

Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Job

The Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program (Mentor Program) allocates funding to pay dark sky field technicians (referred to as “Mentors”) to deliver up to 70 hours of work or equivalent to selected upcoming dark sky places (referred to as “Participants”). The goal of the Mentor Program is to accelerate the process for Participants to become International Dark Sky Certified Places (IDSP) within Colorado. DarkSky International certified IDSPs are model examples of protecting the Dark Sky assets that Colorado enjoys.  

Six participants across Colorado will be chosen to receive the Mentor support, and the Mentor will work with local dark sky place stakeholders to complete IDSP guidelines and complete a successful IDSP certification application.

Interested in becoming a Colorado Dark Sky mentor? Click on the job description below. Applications are open until November 27.

2024 Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Job Description