Preserving the Dark

In the darkest skies in the country it is possible to see up to 5,000 stars throughout the night with the naked eye. By contrast, fewer than 100 stars may be visible from more urban environments. What many people don’t realize is that light pollution affects more than just astronomers. Nocturnal animals need darkness for survival, and the circadian rhythms of humans and plants rely on an unaltered night sky.

DarkSky International works to preserve the skies and educate the public about light pollution and how they can make a difference in protecting dark skies in national parks, sanctuaries, cities and communities like ours here in the Capitol Creek drainage of Old Snowmass.

The DarkSky Initiative in Old Snowmass embraces the protection of and conservation of our wild dark sky at night in this spectacular corner of the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. We are working to become the first designated DarkSky International Community in our valley, hoping to inspire other neighboring communities, towns and cities to strongly embrace and advocate for smart nighttime lighting necessary for safety using low-energy, low-impact bulbs directed to the ground and shielded to prevent light trespass and pollution into the landscape and into our sky. To ensure smart lighting we are working with the Pitkin County Building and Planning Department codes that govern lighting regulations within the county as a whole and to introduce information on just how to light your home to insure safety without flooding the night ~ and your neighbors’ homes ~ with unnecessary light trespass.  We advocate strongly for respecting both Pitkin County lighting codes, any HOA guidelines for neighborhood lighting and respect for neighbors’ desires to do the same and enjoy the wild, dark sky at night.

The end result is that we will be able to protect the safety of our residents, and help to protect and conserve the wild kingdom in our neighborhood that rely on the darkness of night to survive. And to be able see and enjoy into the future all those stars, planets and constellations at night with the naked eye, ensuring a healthy biodiversity for all.  We feel the sky at night is a precious and ever-more-rare resource to guard.

DarkSky International works to protect the night skies for present and future generations. The program’s work is to guard wildlife, human health, energy, heritage and safety.  Please see attached information and videos above outlining the science of these topics that affect all elements of life. To learn more information about DarkSky International, visit their webpage here.

View of Capitol Peak and Mt. Daly in the Old Snowmass Drainage. Photo Courtesy of Pete McBride

Support from Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus

Dear Neighbors,

A little piece of heaven! We bet you love living in the Capitol Snowmass Creek Valleys as much as we do! The Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus is an elected volunteer board of Snowmass residents that has been working to preserve the natural beauty of our valley for nearly 50 years. If you live or own property in our Caucus area, you are a member of the Caucus. You can get involved in your neighborhood, and help us achieve our goals…one of which is to preserve our dark skies.

We care very deeply about our dark starry night skies. We are so lucky to be able to observe the Milky Way, planets, eclipses, comets, and phases of the moon. More importantly, dark skies are needed for the proper functioning of natural ecosystems, including migration of birds, and safe passage of deer, elk, and other wildlife between pasture and stream. Thus, in our Master Plan to guide the development in our valleys, to be in sync with the Pitkin County Updated Lighting Code, it is required to use low-impact outdoor lighting. Lights that shine in all directions, the upward lighting of trees, driveway lighting, and extended holiday lights are incompatible with Pitkin County’s lighting code, as well as the Caucus Master Plan.

Turn off your lights, let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and enjoy the wondrous night skies of Snowmass!

Thank you! Your neighbors, The Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus Board and WildSky Old Snowmass

View of Mt. Sopris, Photo Courtesy of Ann Driggers

Events

We are focused on becoming the Roaring Fork Valley’s first Dark Sky community! Old Snowmass has pioneered an initiative within our community in Pitkin County through the International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org)  helping many cities, towns, communities, preserves and national parks to restore the nighttime environment that protects people and the entire ecosystem from the effects of light pollution.  Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels as opposed to those occurring naturally (for instance, moonlight). The International Dark Sky Association oversees a rigorous program for interested places on the planet to address light pollution via simple means — smart lighting!
We are focused on becoming the first community in the Roaring Fork Valley to earn International Dark Sky Community designation through this organization to ensure that which is outlined above:  safe lighting for the human population without destroying the dark environment needed by all living creatures for health and longevity. We in Old Snowmass covet the darkness of night that remains intact however as time passes, light pollution is beginning to encroach here. Thus our quest to keep any more light pollution at bay, even working to take it down a notch or two.