ROCC Dark Sky Committee

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The Milky Way Over the Town of Ridgway
ROCC’s Dark Sky Committee was formed in March 2018 with the mission of promoting and protecting the dark sky resource that is enjoyed in the Ouray County area. Like air and water pollution, artificial light is another form of environmental pollution that impacts wildlife, insects, migration patterns, and the human circadian rhythm.

Some accomplishments of ROCC’s Dark Sky Committee include:
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  • Partnered with the Town of Ridgway that resulted in the certification and designation of Ridgway as a Dark Sky Community (July 2020) by the International Dark Sky Association.
  • Supported the dark sky certification efforts resulting in Top of the Pines becoming a Dark Sky Certified Park (November 2021) within Ouray County.
  • Provided technical lighting guidance and education to residents and local organizations resulting in dark sky friendly improvements to exterior lighting for Ridgway’s Library, Ridgway Middle School, and local HOAs.
  • Provided lighting ordinance and dark sky guidance to other towns and Parks in Southwest Colorado, including the towns of Silverton, Paonia, Rico, Durango, Ridgway State Park, Colorado National Monument, and others.

Some current projects include:

  • Advocating for additional dark sky friendly protections in the Ouray County Master Plan update process
  • Planning and implementing educational outreach events for Top of the Pines, the Town of Ridgway, Ridgway State Park, and others including events hosted by local schools – including Ridgway, Ouray, and Telluride Middle Schools

Contact Val Szwarc ​or Dave Jones at roccnet.org@gmail.com with any questions, or opportunities of how you can help protect the starry dark sky asset of Southwest Colorado. ​
Dark Sky Committee Reports and Other Information
2023​ 2022 2021 2019